Berniece Hermsen was born at Fairfax, South Dakota on Feb 13, 1922 to Leo and Hope (Piper) Burke. She attended schools in Fairfax and St. Charles, graduating in 1940 from St. Charles High School.
Berniece was united in marriage to Merrill (Hammie) Hermsen at St. Johns Catholic Church in Herrick, South Dakota on June 29, 1946. Together they worked in Calhoons Hardware in Bonesteel and were partners with Ed and Artie Calhoon. After Ed and Artie retired, Hammie and Berniece bought the business and continued operating it. Later, they bought Whiddens Grocery store from Earl and Edna Whidden upon their retirement and combined the two businesses. They continued to run the business for over 30 years as Hermsen Grocery and Hardware. Upon their retirement, they sold the business to Steve Frank and continued to live in Bonesteel.
Berniece was preceeded in death by her husband, Merrill; parents, Leo and Hope Burke; niece, Bernita Burke; brother, Bernard Burke; her mother-in-law and father-in-law; two sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.
Berniece is survived by her sister-in-law, Ranatha Burke of the Butte Nursing Home; nephew Terry (Diane) Burke of Bonesteel, SD; great-nephews: Ryan (Genevieve) Burke of Hettinger, ND, and Michael Burke of Academy, SD; great-niece, Jennifer (Cody) Krieger of Ft, Pierre, SD; great-great niece, Cheyenne Krieger of Sioux Falls, SD; and great-great nephew, John Thomas Krieger of Ft. Pierre, SD. Also surviving are nieces Sandy Fritts of Richland, WA; Carole Bozarth of Umatilla, OR; and Linda Morgan of Walla Walla, WA; nephews Ron Hagedorn of Salem, OR and Bill Warner of Walla Walla, WA; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews in Washington.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel. Burial will be in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Bonesteel. There will be a rosary on Friday at 7:00 PM the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.