46777087 adds: Bernadette Mortrud, 92, of Grand Forks, ND passed away Monday, July 11, 2016 at her home in Grand Forks.

Bernadette Gerszewski was born March 8, 1924 in Grand Forks, ND the daughter of Aloysius and Mary Ann (Stefonowicz) Gerszewski. She was raised in Grand Forks and attended St. Michael's Catholic School, graduated from Grand Forks Central High School and went on to graduate from Union Commercial College in Grand Forks. Bernadette enlisted in the United States Navy (WAVES) on April 4, 1944 in Grand Forks, ND and during World War II, served at the Naval Supply Depot in Oakland, CA. She was honorably discharged from military service with the rank of Yeomen Third Class on December 16, 1945 at San Francisco, CA. Bernadette married Norval H. Mortrud on September 18, 1945 in Oakland, CA. Following their marriage, they returned to Grand Forks raising their family. Bernadette was primarily a mother and homemaker. However, over the years, she was employed with various jobs to help support the family. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a lifetime member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and Altar Society. She volunteered many hours for the church, helping to prepare and serve funeral luncheons, volunteering to clean the church and caring for the altar linens. She enjoyed working in her yard, gardening, line dancing and was a member of the American Legion Post 157. She was a talented artist and specialized in oil painting and cartooning. Norval preceded her in death on February 1, 1993.

She is survived by her children, Marlene (Gary) Mastrud, East Grand Forks, MN, Wayne (Patty) Mortrud, Grand Forks, ND, Gail (Bob) West, Grand Forks, ND, Thomas Mortrud, Hatton, ND, Timothy Mortrud, Grand Forks, ND, Catherine (Shana Petermann), Fargo, ND; 17 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norval; siblings, Genevieve Gerszewski, Anthony Gerszewski, Adolph Gerszewski, Constance Christianson, Helen Calhoun, Leonard Gerszewski, Ambrose "Bunce" Gerszewski, Agatha Gerszewski, Herman Gerszewski, Theodore Gerszewski, Eugene Gerszewski, Regina Gerszewski, Gerald Gerszewski, Carmen Krell and a great-great-grandson, Jacob Johnson.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2016 in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation: 5:0 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home-Gregory J. Norman Funeral Chapel. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Friday.

Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, The United States Naval Reserve and the North Dakota Army National Guard.

Burial: Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.