Bernice M. Leeser

Bernice M. Leeser, age 102, of Potosi, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020, at Lancaster Health Services. She was born September 9, 1918, the daughter of Leo and Sophia (Koeller) Wiedman. Bernice attended Willow Creek Country School. On June 7, 1938, she married Joseph B. Leeser at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Potosi. Together they farmed on the Leeser family farm in Potosi Township, where they milked cows, raised hogs, and chickens. She was employed for over 25 years as the dietary supervisor at the former Lancaster Memorial Hospital. Bernice always had a large garden that fed her family. She was usually canning, sewing, and baking. Bernice was known for her wonderful cakes that were ordered by many for special occasions. She enjoyed quilting with the church ladies and was a member of SS. Andrew Thomas Catholic Churches.
Survivors include her children: Joanne Udelhofen, Karl and Owen Leeser, Delores (Joe) Kerkenbush, Marilyn (Chuck) Appeldoorn; 16 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Brennan; many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Bernice was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jacob Udelhofen; two daughters-in-law: Phyllis and Sally Leeser; grandson, Dale Leeser; her siblings: Marie and her husbands Raymond Reynolds and Vic Irish; Dorothy (Art) Stoney; Florence (Harold) Redman; Muriel Wiedman; a brother-in-law, Harold Brennan.
Private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at St Andrew Catholic Church in Tennyson with Father Richard Leffler officiating. The funeral mass will be live streamed on Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory Facebook page. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, Potosi. A celebration of Bernice's life will be held at a later date. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Potosi is assisting the family.