Alberta “Bertie” Bernick, 96, of Walcott, passed away on July 9, 2023, at Grand Haven Retirement Community in Eldridge, where she spent her last few months. Alberta’s beloved home was the farm where she was born June 13, 1927, to Albert and Emma (Soenke) Illian, and where she and her husband, Gene, farmed for more than 60 years and raised their five children.
As a girl, Bertie enjoyed farm life with her parents and sisters. The Illians raised a wide variety of crops and livestock, tended to large gardens and orchards, and Bertie helped prepare huge meals for farmhands and visitors. Many years later, an older man remarked to a family member that threshing at the Illian farm was his favorite place to work because it meant the best homemade pie. In 1944, Successful Farming magazine sent a photojournalist to take pictures of the Illian girls to highlight the family’s modern farming practices. Bertie was chosen to represent Iowa at the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago.
Bertie graduated from 8th grade at Fulton 3M School and earned both a diploma and teaching certificate from Davenport Central High School in 1944. She taught in area country schools, including Fulton 3M, until she married in 1949. She and Gene took the reins of the Illian farm soon after their wedding, and they started a dairy operation in 1956, becoming widely known for their high-producing Holsteins and quality milk. She worked long hours alongside Gene, assisting with milking chores and taking care of baby calves.
Bertie credited 4-H with helping her to master many skills used throughout her life, like sewing, record-keeping, and researching information long before the internet. She loved the Mississippi Valley Fair and led the charge for Kids Day activities for many years, and she and Gene were once crowned Senior Fair King and Queen. She was a 4-H leader and served on the Scott County Extension Council. Bertie never missed a chance to go to the Iowa State Fair either. In 2008, the family farm was recognized there as a Century Farm by the Iowa Department of Agriculture.
Over the years, Bertie was active at St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was involved with several community organizations, including the Farm Bureau Women’s Organization, Pythian Sisters, Discovery Shop, and she was a loyal baker/server at American Legion fundraising dinners in Walcott. She kept close ties with her high school and 4-H friends, participated in a couples’ bicycling club, and enjoyed playing 500 with her ladies’ card club until just a few weeks ago.
She was 100% devoted to her family. She rarely missed her children’s school events, spent hours helping with studies and 4-H projects, and she and Gene attended as many of the grandchildren’s events as possible. They also hosted full-on Bernick holiday gatherings at the farm a few times each year. Eventually one of her daughters decided it was time to give Mom a break and initiated job shifts for everyone at family events. Laughter erupted when one of Bertie’s grandsons quipped later that he liked things better when Grandma just did all the work. Joking aside, he spoke the truth – her countless hours preparing favorite meals, decorating the house, and getting everything just right, clearly communicated how much she loved her family. Those big farm gatherings with Bertie (and Gene) at the helm will be treasured memories.
Alberta is survived by son Clay (Terry) Bernick of Spencer, Wis.; daughter Kristi (Steve) Diehl of Redding, Calif.; daughter Sheryl (John) Fulton of Lincoln, Ill.; son Dan (Karen) Bernick of Long Grove; and son Scott (Jeanne) Bernick of Blue Grass. She is also survived by grandchildren Shawn (Mandy) Bernick, Prescott, Wis.; Jason (Leah) Bernick, Spencer, Wis.; Holli Bernick, Albuquerque, N.M.; Colter Diehl, Redding, Calif.; Zachary (Kerry) Diehl, Columbia, Md.; Andrew (Corie) Fulton, Petersburg, Ill.; Daniel (Holly) Fulton, Atlanta, Ill.; David (Rachel) Fulton, Le Roy, Ill.; Hope Bernick, Long Grove; Emma Bernick, Iowa City; and Sarah and Lucy Bernick, Blue Grass, in addition to 15 great-grandchildren. She also leaves a beloved cousin, Melvin Illian, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, including Elmer, who died in early childhood, and another who died as an infant; and sisters Alice (Roy) Kahler, Norma (Clarence) Geurink, Velma (Alvin) Ott, Elnora (Ralph) McAllister, and Leona (Wilbert) Engelbrecht.
A visitation for Alberta was held Sunday, July 16, from 3 to 6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street, Davenport. Pastor Peter Marty officiated a funeral service at the church on Monday, July 17, at 10:00 a.m.
The family appreciates the caregiving staff at Grand Haven for their kindness and loving care for Bertie, and also others who cared for her at home including JoAnn Garlough.
Memorials can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Walcott Volunteer Fire Department, or Scott County 4-H.
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