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Berniece B. Jelen, of  Center City, formerly of St. Paul, died Monday, June 8 at Parmly LifePointes at the age of 83.

Berniece was born May 10, 1932 in Weyerhaeuser, WI to Joseph and Martha Blasko.  She graduated from Weyerhaeuser High School.  In April of 1952 she married Francis Jelen in St. Paul.  She ran a Home Daycare and then worked as a clerk in the Ramsey County Clerk of Courts Office.  In her free time she enjoyed gardening, fishing, music, especially singing in the St. Bernard’s Choir, sewing, baking, cooking, square dancing, was a Cub Scout leader, and volunteering at St. Bridgets’ with the New Mothers Program,  the Baby Blanket program and sewing Baptismal gowns.

Berniece was preceded in death by husband Francis and sister Irene Fischbach.  Survived by children Suzanne (Mike) Luke, Julie (Gary) Becker, Bruce (Diane) Jelen, Carol (Tim) McLauglin, Larry (Darla) Jelen, Byron Jelen, Jeff Jelen, Lisa (Tom) Houska; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, brother Ted Blasko, sister Dorothy (Art) Janota, other relatives and friends.  

Visitation will be  4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11 at the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Bridget of Sweden Church in Lindstrom.  Interment at Franconia Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to MADD, Minnesota Public Radio, National Park Service or Parmly LifePointes. www.grandstrandfh.com

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