Berniece Wehlan

Berniece Clara Whelan was born on June 29, 1972 in Albert Lea, MN, the daughter of William M. and Dorothy M. (VanRavenhorst) Whelan. She was baptized in Albert Lea and confirmed in the Catholic faith at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, MN. Berniece grew up on a farm outside of Clark's Grove, MN and attended school at Ellendale-Geneva High School, graduating in 1990. She later College Academy. In 2000, she met the love of her life, her soul-mate, Rob Laden, while he was working at the Conoco Station in Rochester, MN. Berniece worked for a time in the home health care industry and enjoyed computers, poetry, listening to contemporary Christian music, writing and librarian duties. She also loved to read the bible, especially passages from Job, with whom she felt a unique kinship. In the evening hours of Monday February 4, 2008, Berniece was called from this life at the Granite Falls Municipal Hospital, following complications from her asthma. She was 35 years of age. She is survived by her mother- Dorothy Whelan of Granite Falls, MN; her two brothers- Douglas Whelan of Albert Lea, MN and Martin Somnis of Clarks Grove,MN; her two sisters- Elizabeth Raney of Granite Falls, MN and Marie Stevermer also of Granite falls, MN; her fiance?- Rob Laden of Marshall, MN; her three sons- Judd James Whelan of Minneota, MN, Zachary Robert Whelan of Champlin, MN and William Martin Whelan also of Champlin, MN; her daughters- June Elizabeth Brown of Minneota, MN, Jorgetta Marie Whelan-Brown of Minneota, MN and LeeAnn Dorothy Laden also of Minneota, MN; her maternal grandmother- Esther VanRavenhorst of Albert Lea, MN; several aunts, uncles, many friends and extended family. She was preceded in death by her father; her paternal and maternal grandfather and grandmother- Martin E. & Clara Whelan and Dick VanRavenhorst, one aunt- Mary Pat Nielson; two uncles- Edward Whelan & Daryl Nielson; and one brother-in-law, Duane Raney.