Bernice F. Swartz, 95, of La Crosse, passed away on Monday, December 15, 1997 at the Bethany Riverside Nursing Home. She was born on March 5, 1902, in La Crosse to John and Aldace (Hagenbaugh) Ash. She married Arnold Olin Swartz on April 16, 1919, in the Baptist Church Rectory in La Crosse. Bernice was very active, in the Swartz Office Supply Company, which her husband founded, and as a member of the Chapter BX of the PEO Sisterhood. Her volunteer efforts included the Red Cross Blood Bank; the Lutheran Hospital Gift Shop; and the La Crosse Historical Society. Her happiest days were spent at the family cottage on the Mississippi River near Dresbach, where she instilled in her family a love of nature and an appreciation of American antiques and crafts.

Bernice is survived by her son, Arnold O. (Janet) Swartz Jr. of La Crosse; her daughter, Jean Swartz (Robert) Rennebohm of Madison, Wis.; a brother, Richard C. (Mavis) Ash of La Crosse; two sisters, Gladys Ash Weihaupt of Dresbach, Minn., and Jane Ash Hess of Tomah, Wis.; a son-in- law, Ray A. Sundet of La Crosse; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great- grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Swartz Sundet; three brothers, John, Gilbert and Thomas Ash; and three sisters, Imogene Ash Scharpf, Alice Ash Boland and Aldace Ash.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 1997, at 11 a.m. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Bethany Riverside Nursing Home for the care and comfort Bernice received while living there, and to suggest that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Bethany Riverside Nursing Home.
LaCrosse Tribune