Bernice Jungquist, 91, a resident of Burlington, passed away at her home on Sunday, December 13, 2009, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on April 7, 1918 in Sedro-Woolley, the daughter of Allan & Emma Hartmann Benson.
She was raised and schooled in Sedro-Woolley, where she graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School with the class of 1936 and then she attended Washington State University in Pullman where she met Wesley ‘Bus’ Jungquist. They were united in marriage on November 4, 1939 in Burlington and made their home in Sedro-Woolley after World War 2 when Bus came home from the war.

In 1949 Bus and Bernice took over the Benson Family grocery store, on Jameson Street, and operated it as Bus’s Grocery for 15 years. In 1967, Bus & Bernice opened Bus Jungquist Furniture in downtown Sedro-Woolley.

She was a great cook and was famous for her potato salad, pumpkin pie, and many other family favorites. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, playing cribbage, and gardening. However, she most enjoyed being surrounded by her family for all holidays and family gatherings. Bernice was known for her lively spirit and a deep inner strength.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Allan & Emma Benson and by her husband, Bus in April of 2009.
She is survived by her children, Christie Dessy and her husband, Ian Sclater of Edinburgh, Scotland, Shauna Johnson and her husband, Bruce of Bow and Craig Jungquist and his wife, Kathy of Sedro-Woolley. Five grandchildren, Krissa Ammons and her husband Brian, Brennan Johnson, Chelsa Dessy, Brigette Petzoldt and Michael Mortenson and one great-grandson, Cadel Ammons. A nephew, Bruce Wilson and wife Heather; two nieces, Ann Reynolds and husband Bill and Shary DeMarcey and a cousin, Genevieve Larsen.

Thanks to Skagit Hospice who managed her care at home, and thanks to a very special friend, Katie, whose care giving help made it possible for Bernice to come home for her final few weeks.

A Graveside Inurnment service will be held at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in La Conner on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 2:30 P.M. with Pastor Wendy Tingley of the Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Sedro-Woolley officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the Sedro-Woolley Rotary Scholarship Fund or to the North Puget Cancer Center, 2000 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Services and cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.