Obituary of Bernice E. Schuerman
Bernice E. Schuerman (91) resident of Lewiston, ID passed away at Serenity Place on December 11, 2024. Bernice was born to Elmer and Orbie (Laird) Scott on October 15, 1933 in Colville, WA. She grew up in Colville and left school in the tenth grade to marry the love of her life, John Schuerman. On November 25, 1949, John and Bernice married at the Hitching Post in Coeur d’ Alene, ID.
The couple initially made their home in Colville and then Spokane before finally moving their family to the Harrison Flats in 1958, buying and merging 4 small farms. The combined 720 acres included timberland, fields, and shoreline on Black Lake. These spaces provide the backdrop to countless family memories.
Bernice was a dedicated mother, a homemaker, and a proud farmer. She was, in many ways, the definition of caregiver. If she wasn’t caregiving for people, she was caregiving for the land and the animals of the farm. She loved animals. During lambing season, she’d often be up all hours helping to ensure new lambs were delivered safely and bottle-feeding bummer lambs. She was an asset on the family farm often driving grain to sale or wool to market.
Bernice was also deeply invested in her community and sought out opportunities to serve that community. This volunteer work brought her great joy. In 1961, she and Mary Lou Andersen established Dig and Delve Garden Club, which is still part of the Harrison Community. Bernice also served as a 4-H Leader for over 25 years, where she taught cooking. She was a member of the Medicine Mountain Grange, Harrison Old Timers Picnic Committee, and PTO. She enjoyed being active and never missed a concert, sporting event, or school activity. Bernice’s faith was strong and deeply important to her. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Harrison.
Always invested in personal improvement, Bernice proudly obtained her GED at age 50 and became a Certified Nursing Assistant. This provided yet another way in which she could serve her community and care for others. She worked as an in-home health caregiver and was widely requested by her small community.
When she wasn’t serving other people, committees, or organizations, Bernice enjoyed baking—specializing in maple bars, cinnamon rolls and fresh bread. She loved gardening, reading, playing card games, listening to country music, and dancing. She also enjoyed traveling, especially later in life. She and John were snowbirds and headed south with their fifth wheel each winter. They spent time in Yuma, AZ, Needles, CA, Lake Havasu, AZ, and Bull City, AZ. They also visited family in Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Florida, and Georgia.
Bernice is survived by her children John (Madeline) Schuerman of Gulfport Mississippi, Bonita Holbeck of Spokane, WA, Cliff Schuerman of Harrison, ID, Mike Schuerman (Andy Conner) of Lewiston, ID, Mary (Kerry) Beare of Black Lake, ID, Christie (Tony) Pfeiffer of Harrison, ID, and son in-law Bob Goodson of Harrison, ID; sister Mary Scott of Coeur d’ Alene, ID; brother Orland “Glen” Scott of Ashland, Oregon; 23 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Joyce Brooks, Verna Ubelacker, Velma Knobel, and Bonnie Rupert; brothers, Dan Scott and Elmer Scott; husband, John S.Schuerman; daughter, Susan Goodson, son-in-law, Paul Holbeck; and grandson, Nicholas Schuerman.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will be Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in St. Maries, ID. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow at the Benedictine Hall. After the meal, a committal service and burial will be at the Harrison City Cemetery in Harrison, ID.
