Bernice A. Willing Pelo

Bernice Pelo died peacefully, after a short illness, at the Waterford Home in Helena, on July 12, 2004.

One of five children, she was born Sept. 23, 1928, in Minot, N.D. to Charles and Agnes Drake. She attended school in Minot, later moving to Chinook, where she attended high school. Bernice then worked in Havre for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. In 1951, she married fellow Mountain Bell employee and widower, Fred Willing of Havre, becoming mother to his two children, Bill and Laura Lee. The couple then had two daughters, Jeri Ann and Jean Susan, to complete their family. They transferred with Mountain Bell from Havre to Red Lodge, then to Great Falls, and finally to Helena, in 1960. There, Bernice and Fred designed and built their dream home, doing much of the work themselves. Afterwards, Bernice returned to full-time work at Mountain Bell as a traffic investigator from 1961 until 1976.

On July 12, 1974, Bernice's husband, Fred, died at the age of 53. She then married Mountain Bell employee Raymond W. Pelo of Clancy in 1975. Raymond and Bernice took early retirements in order to own and operate an Arabian horse ranch in Philomath, Ore. in 1976. The couple ranched for several years and later moved to Corvallis and then to Tidewater, Oregon. In 1991, while living in Whitefish, Bernice suffered the untimely loss of her daughter, Jeri Ann Orth, of Boise, Idaho. Ray and Bernice settled permanently in Helena, Montana in 1993 where each had children residing. Ray preceded Bernice in death on June 13, 2004 after 29 years of marriage.

Bernice is survived by her brother, Charles Drake (Ashley) of Las Vegas, Nev., twin sister, Beverly Jacobi (Garth) of Whitefish, and sister Anne Fuller of San Diego, Calif.; her children: William C. Willing of Helena (Nonnie), Laura Lee Willing Schroeder (Lon) of West Yellowstone, Jean Susan Willing Mehrens (Tim) of Helena, and grandchildren: Michael Willing of Portland, Michael Siegle of Marysville, Chris Schroeder of Glendale, Ariz., Patrick Schroeder of West Yellowstone, Timmie Mehrens of Belgrade, Kelli Ann McDonald of Helena, Katie Mehrens of Helena, and great-granddaughter Jaycie. With her blended family, she is survived by step-sons Russell Pelo (Kim) of Helena and Scott Pelo (Winona) of Bellingham, Wash., step-daughter, Marilyn Pelo (Jim Perdue) of Helena, and grandchildren: Tyler and Cassie Pelo of Helena, Jessica Barlow (Jeff), Stacia Scheelar (Mike) both of Forest Grove, Ore., and two great- granddaughters: Kayla and Hunter.

Bernice's sister Eileen Tomlinson of San Diego, Calif. preceded her in death.

At Bernice's request, there will be no public funeral. A private family memorial service will be held. She asked that memorials be made to Hospice of St. Peters Hospital.