Memorial services for Bernadine Hills, 97, of Johnston, IA, formerly of Aurelia, will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Aurelia, with Pastor Linda Morris officiating. Inurnment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Aurelia. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.
Bernadine Marie Mullins was born June 7, 1924, in Pipestone, MN, the daughter of Henry and Grace (DeGriselles) Mullins. She attended school at Hayes, Albert City, and Sioux Rapids, graduating from the Sioux Rapids High School in 1941. On July 26, 1942 Bernadine married Lowell DeVere Hills in Sioux Rapids. Bernadine worked for Northwestern Bell for many years. When Bell closed the Cherokee office she worked as a teacher associate at the Aurelia School for a couple of years. She then returned to the telephone business as office manager and secretary to the board of Peoples Telephone Company in Aurelia. She retired in 1990. Bernadine was a member of the United Methodist Church in Aurelia over 50 years. She belonged to women’s church groups and served on several church boards. In earlier years she was a member of a card club. She loved crocheting. She made many beautiful doilies, afgans, prayer shawls, and a bedspread for many to enjoy. She also loved working in her beautiful flower gardens. She definitely had a green thumb.
Bernadine died Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at the Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, IA, where she had lived for about ten years.
Preceding Bernadine in death were her parents, her beloved husband of 65 years, Lowell Hills, one son, Lowell Dean Hills, two brothers; Marvin Mullins and Russell Mullins, and two sisters; Doris Mullins in infancy and Ruth Biggins.
Those left to cherish her memory are: one daughter, Mary Lou and her husband Greg Benberg of Johnston, one son, Tim Hills and his fiancé Susan Bulman of Tybee Island, GA. Also surviving are six grandchildren; Angela and husband Ryan Young of Johnston, Shawn and wife Jodi Benberg of Grimes, IA, Jason Hills of Slater, IA, Nicole and husband Marlyn Keller of Ottertail, MN, Chad and wife Jessica Hills of Elk River, MN, and T.J. and wife Tina Hills of Pembroke, GA, 16 great-grandchildren, one sister, Marjorie Holstein of Early, IA, and other relatives and friends.