Bernice Stedman, 93, Dies; Sitka Resident Since 1969

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Tuesday, 03 December 2024 14:56

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Bernice Lorraine (Espeseth) Stedman

Bernice Lorraine (Espeseth) Stedman passed away on March 17, 2023, in Sitka at the age of 93.  She had spent the last several years residing at the Sitka Pioneers Home, where she was very active and enjoyed all the social activities, especially the bingo games.
Bernice’s parents were Norwegian immigrants. She was to be the first in the family born in a hospital, but the family had to wait for the next generation to accomplish that goal. When Bernice was born December 6, 1929, in Petersburg, the birth took place on the sidewalk outside the Espeseth home, when her mother was heading to the hospital after a late night of Bingo at the Sons of Norway Hall. There was only one car in Petersburg at the time, and her father needed to notify Fred Nelson, their neighbor, that his car was needed ASAP.  Baby Bernice had other plans. It was quite the news at the Sons of Norway that a baby was born on the sidewalk, on a clear cold night, and not in the family home or new hospital.
Raised in Petersburg, Bernice was baptized and confirmed in the Petersburg Lutheran Church. She attended Petersburg public schools where she was the prom queen.
From the age of 14, and throughout her high school years, she worked at Rexall Drug store. That’s where she met her future husband, Kenneth Stedman, who also worked there. They were married in the Petersburg Lutheran Church Nov. 17, 1951.  In honor of the event, the drug store was closed for the day, which was unheard of at the time.
While living in Petersburg she had three children. In 1969 the family moved to Sitka where they purchased an insurance agency. They named it  Stedman Insurance Agency, which is still in operation today.  Bernice helped run the agency until 1974, when she then had a 20-year career at the Sitka Post Office.
She enjoyed many years working the front counter while assisting several generations of Sitkans with their postal needs. Many of them still remember their warm and friendly interaction with her at her front counter.
Bernice was involved in many community activities throughout the years. She was a member of Sitka’s Beta Sigma Phi and helped with their many activities and fundraisers benefiting the community. She spent her retirement years volunteering at the White Elephant Shop, where she was a board member and acted as treasurer. She also thoroughly enjoyed Totem Park, walking her mile through the park daily regardless of the weather or bear reports. You didn’t want to get in her way when she was headed out the door, she was on a mission!
Lunch and socializing at the Senior Center was another top activity, as were her Saturday night dinners out and about with her ladies group. As a member of the Pioneers of Alaska, she was often a convention delegate and traveled the state seeing new sights and making many new friends. She was a long-term member of the Sons of Norway and always looked forward to their annual Christmas party.
She is survived by her daughter Larine (Larry) Dunham; sons Bert (Lureen) Stedman, and Karl Stedman;  three grandchildren, Karl Stedman Jr., Keith Stedman, and Susan (Caleb) Sorenson; and great-granddaughter Natalie Sorenson. Numerous nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren also survive.
She was preceded in death by her first child, an infant daughter; her parents, Bert and Larine Espeseth; sister Alice and brother-in-law Jimmy Rex Stafford; son-in-law Terry MacDonald and grandson Robert (Bob) MacDonald.  
She was the last surviving family member of her generation, the first generation born in America. She was loved by her family and will be missed and remembered by her family and many others.

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