Marie Clara (Berning) Smeins

MARIE CLARA SMEINS, age 87, of Luverne, died Monday, December 14, 2020, at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. She was born November 21, 1933, in rural Nobles County, to Henry and Louise (Farwick) Berning. She graduated from Lismore High School in 1951.

Marie married Myron Fred Smeins on August 4, 1951, at Camp Rucker in Dale County, AL. After their marriage, the couple lived in Alabama for a couple of years before moving to Luverne where they lived the rest of their lives. Marie was a homemaker while raising her five children. After the children were grown, she took calls for the Rendering Company out of her home. Marie was also a seamstress for many stores in Luverne and also word of mouth customers for thirty seven years. She also served as custodian at St. Catherine for four years; and was Distribution Manager for the Star-Herald Newspaper.

She was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne where she taught religion classes for over twenty years. Marie loved sports especially watching hockey, baseball, football and basketball. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, nature, traveling to casinos and painting. She was an artist painting with oils for a pastime and teaching many children the beauty of painting.

Marie is survived by her five children, Dan (Marie) Smeins, Luverne; Dave (Tammy) Smeins, Luverne; Debra (Steve) Woltjer, Grand Junction, CO; Duane (friend, Barb Wallace) Smeins, Carbondale, CO; and Darin Smeins, Luverne; eleven grandchildren, Rob (friend, Amanda Stevens) Woltjer, Mike Woltjer, David (Brittany) Smeins, Dana (Josh) Klay, Dustin (Dawn) Smeins, Darcy (friend, Garrett Beaner) Smeins, Diana (fiancée, Nic Mark) Smeins, Jessie (Skylar) McAllister, Nikki (Will) MacLeod, Dalton (Jada) Smeins and Isabel Smeins; twelve great-grandchildren, Brady, Zoey, Hailey, Jaiden, Annie Jo, Cade, Ellie, Jase, Dawson, Gracie, Oak, Myles and one on the way; three brothers, Alvin Berning, Luverne; Ed Berning, Adrian; and Jim Berning, Owatonna; and many nieces & nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Myron in 1982; an infant brother, Raphael; a brother, George Berning; a sister, Lorraine Van Peursem; four sisters-in-law, Gert, Delores, Rita, and Doris Berning; a brother-in-law, Ralph Van Peursem; and three nieces, Arlene, Laurie & Joan.

   Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Sunday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne; and also one hour prior to the church on Monday. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Monday at St. Catherine Catholic Church, in Luverne, officiated by Monsignor Gerald Kosse and Father Jim Berning. Burial will be in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.

   To view an online obituary or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

   To live stream the graveside service on Monday, please visit http://www.facebook.com/DingmannFH

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