Berniece Folk

Berniece (Mrs. George) Folk, age 94, of Milbank passed away on June 7, 2022, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 10, at 10:30  a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Gary DeRouchey will celebrate the Mass. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday evening, beginning at 5:00 p.m. followed by a prayer vigil at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday morning, one hour prior to the Mass.

Berniece June (Bryngelson) Folk was born on July 26, 1927, at the family home in LaBolt, SD. She was the daughter of Ralph and Julia (Schie) Bryngelson. Berniece grew up in the LaBolt area. She attended school in Revillo and graduated from Milbank High School. She attended Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen, SD. She was united in marriage with George Folk on September 29, 1947, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. They were blessed with three sons: Daryl, Bruce, and Curt.

Berniece taught country school for five years. She worked for National Insurance Company for over 18 years. The family moved to Iowa and lived there 20 years.  She worked the Veteran’s Administration and also worked as a bartender for Tall Corn Towers. They returned to Milbank and have since resided.

Berniece and George enjoyed spending time at Big Stone Lake. They spent their summers at their trailer on Cramer’s Bay fishing, especially for perch, and enjoying the lake. Berniece loved to play cards, especially Whist.  She and George danced…and danced…and danced! She enjoyed getting together with her coffee group at the Mall Café. Berniece was a talented bowler and enjoyed league bowling. She was a member of the “600 Club” for bowling. She and George were members of the Moose Club since 1987. Berniece was a wonderful cook and baker. Her family will cherish the memory of her brownies. She and George enjoyed visiting the area casinos. Berniece took great pride in herself and all that she had. She always had her hair and makeup done, and completed her look with high heels and jewelry! She walked one mile, each and every day, in her high heels. She was a proud Stanley dealer for 20 plus years. Her grandchildren remember the Stanley display in her living room. She and George were faithful members of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and helped usher. Most important to Berniece were her family. She adored her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandson. She loved rocking and bouncing the babies…with her high heels on!

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, George of Milbank, SD; two sons: Bruce Folk (Tito Hydel) of Hackensack, NJ; and Curt Folk of Spearfish, SD; brother, Berdette Bryngelson of Marshalltown, IA; sisters-in-law: Betty Mead of Milbank, SD; Rose Kelly of Milbank, SD; and Wilma Folk of Hector, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Daryl Folk; grandson, Nick Folk; and her sisters: Vivian Snell and Evelyn Dittes.