Bernice Julia Fast

Bernice Julia Fast, 92, of Hayfield, MN formerly of Kasson, MN passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Mayo Clinic St. Mary's Campus in Rochester, MN.

Bernice was born on September 30, 1931, on a farm near Windom, MN to Jacob and Helen (Fast) Duerksen.  She attended school in Mountain Lake, MN and had a long walk to school.  She remembered the last block before home she could smell her mother’s homemade vegetable soup and fresh homemade bread.

Bernice gave her life to Jesus at the age of ten. She attended the Gospel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake and was baptized and became a member there.

In 1948, Bernice first met Henry Fast while she and a friend were standing at Ross's Corner.  They were engaged in 1949 and were married August 19, 1950, until Henry passed away in 2022.

They lived on a farm for one year and then moved to Rock Island, IL where Henry worked for John Deere Company.  From there they moved to Grand Meadow, MN working for Libby Farms.  In 1955, they moved to Rochester, MN and eventually purchased their first house in 1958.

Bernice was a Licensed Practical Nurse and was employed by Mayo Clinic connected hospitals for 36 years.  She also worked for the Public Health Nursing Service for Minnesota, for Kohler Hotel Nursing Service for Mayo Clinic patients and lastly as a Private Duty nurse for Clinic patients at St. Mary's Hospital.  She enjoyed nursing very much.

Bernice and Henry were very involved at Calvary Baptist Church.  Bernice sang in the choir and taught Sunday School.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and reading Amish stories.  She also enjoyed watching baseball and sometimes football.

Bernice was always loving and caring and full of God's joy.

Bernice is survived by her brother Jerry (Liz) Duerksen of Golden, CO; children, Rodney Fast of Kasson, MN and Sherrill (Stephen) Kautz of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Henry Fast, and her sister LuElla Randerson.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St SE in Kasson, MN, with Pastor Roger Langworthy officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home.  Interment will be in Pleasant Prairie Cemetery in Rochester, MN.

To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St SE Kasson, MN 55944 (507) 634-6510. Blessed be her memory.