Bernice Pauline Symicek, 93, of Onalaska, WI, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2017 at the Bethany Riverside Health Care Center in La Crosse. She was born May 20, 1923 in Independence, WI to Andrew and Rose (Ressel) Smieja. She married Clements Symicek on October 15, 1941 at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence.

Bernice was a member of St Patrick’s Parish. She was very active and worked until age of 82. She enjoyed traveling and visiting casinos with her family. She enjoyed making wedding cakes for family and friends in her younger years.

She is survived by her son, James (Carol) Symicek of La Crosse; daughters, Phyllis (Tom) Tatar, Brighton, CO., Dorothy Humfeld, Hokah, MN., Debra Symicek, Onalaska; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Delphine (Harry) Wobbe, Wabasha, MN., sister-in-law, Virginia (Adrian) Smieja, Independence; many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Clements in 1984; daughter, Lucille Bateman; sons-in-law, Alvin Bateman SR, Michael Humfeld; grandson, Alvin Bateman JR; great-grandson, Joshua Bateman; 7 sisters, 1 brother, 6 brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the Mayo Clinic Franciscan Healthcare and Bethany Riverside for their wonderful care and compassion.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11:00 am at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1031 Main St., Onalaska. Msgr. Steven Kachel will officiate with interment at the Onalaska City Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at the church. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family. The family appreciates your kindness and thoughtfulness but requests no flowers.