Bernice Duvall Stendal, 98, a longtime resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2012 at The Bridge assisted living facility in Mount Vernon, Washington.
She was born on November 13, 1914 at McMurray, Washington, the daughter of Robert H. & Christine (Anderson) Pottage. She was raised and attended school in Sedro-Woolley, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School with the class of 1932.
On November 8, 1935 Bernice was united in marriage to Clyde Duvall in Sedro-Woolley and they made their home and raised their family in Clear Lake. Clyde passed away in 1960. In 1969 she married Ralph Stendal and they made their home in Sedro-Woolley until Ralph’s death in 1988.
Bernice worked as a telephone operator and then a service advisor for Continental Telephone in Sedro-Woolley, retiring with over 25 years of service. She was active in her community where she was a member of the St. James Episcopal Church; was Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star #110 in Sedro-Woolley; was Past Noble Grand of the Lakeside Rebecca Lodge #236 in Clear Lake; Past President of Altrusa of Mount Vernon, a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was affiliated with each of these organizations for over 50 years.
Bernice is survived by her daughters, Jean Davis (Richard) of Arlington, Judy Nelson (Larry) of Clear Lake. Ralph’s children, Eric Stendal (Heidi) of Sedro-Woolley, Stacy Sullivan (Shaun), Chris Kneis, and (Robert) all of Bellingham; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Besides her husbands, Clyde & Ralph she was also preceded in death by her parents, and three sisters, Jean Pottage, Ann Cobain and Edna Normark.
Bernice’s family is so grateful for the exceptional care provided by friends and staff of Country Meadows, Drs. Paul Johnson and Jonathan Ploudre, her last and loving angels at The Bridge, and recently Hospice of the Northwest.
They suggest that memorials in her name be made to the Sedro-Woolley High School Alumni Association or to the Clear Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Reverend Dianne Andrews of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon officiating. Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.