Bernice M. Croon, 82, died Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Dells Area Health Center. Bernice was born April 16, 1926 in Dell Rapids, SD to William and Martha (Bult) Van Dam. She attended Pleasant Valley Rural School and St. Mary's in Dell Rapids. Bernice married Lyle Croon on December 19, 1942 in Cheyenne, WY. After her husband returned from the army, they moved west of Flandreau in 1947 and farmed where they continued living until November 1999. Bernice was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, Colman, St. Peter Altar Society, treasurer of Clare Township for 23 years and a member of the Flandreau VFW Auxiliary.

Bernice is survived by her husband, Lyle; four daughters, Judy Miles, Colman, Carolyn (Robert) Lamberty, Dell Rapids, Joyce(James)Bakkedahl, Las Vegas, NV, and Chellie (Randy) Wiese, Madison, SD; 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Marie Ellis, Dell Rapids, Rosalie (Richard) Gannon, Dell Rapids, Doris (Doug) Singer, St. Paul, MN, Julie Abrahamson, Sioux Falls and one brother, Don Van Dam, Sioux Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son-in-law, Les, a great-grandson, Levi,four brothers, and five sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 pm Wednesday at St. Peter Catholic Church, Colman with burial in the church cemetery. Visiation begins at 4:00 pm Tuesday at the church with a 6:45 pm rosary followed by a 7:00 pm prayer service.