Bernice "Niecie" Gordon was born in Argyle, WI in a brick farmhouse on Puddledock Road March 2, 1929; the start of the Great Depression. She entered Heaven's gates March 25, 2018 to be with family and friends she hasn't seen in a long time and dearly missed. We were blessed to learn many invaluable life lessons from her. Utterly selfless, and kindhearted, apologizing her finals days with sadness in her beautiful blue eyes for not being able to help out any longer.
Like many farm kids of her generation, she and her brother Bobby had graduated from the Round Grove Country school by eighth grade to help run the Sutter Brothers farm at Stearns Station. Compassion for others was deeply ingrained at an early age growing up where it was the norm to open your home to the hobos who stopped at the railroad depot looking for food in exchange for labor and literally give someone the shirt off your back.
She toured the United States with her dear girlfriend Richie and the Motorcycle Maids of America on their Harley Hogs in 1948; she was 19 years old. Her hands were the only outward indication she was afflicted with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis ate the young age of 21. Rarely letting her medical condition slow her down.
Niecie married Laverne "Gus" Sommers when she was 21 and raised three sons Larry, Tim and David Sommers. This was the start of her career behind the bar serving patrons at the bar they ran in Winslow, IL. This is also where she inherited the famous Tom and Jerry recipe from the former owners which we continue to enjoy as a family tradition every Christmas Eve.
She eventually made it back to County FF in Monroe Township, a mile from the Sutter Family Farm where she cared for elderly neighbors Jim Dorty and his schoolmarm sister, Mae, who were loved as family.
Later in life, she married Robert Gordon, adopted his boys Clark and Chuck Gordon, loving them no less than her biological boys. She brought her stepson, Dave Gordon, under her wing as well. She and Robert had a daughter, Heidi. Everyone felt welcome in her presence. Our friends all called her Ma. Many adventures took place along with many memories made at Gordmer Farms on County FF. In addition to farming, raising hogs, sheep and chickens, she prepared incredible meals for our family and farm hands, and somehow also found time to sew clothes. She sewed fabric on the bottom of our jeans when we outgrew them, and many of the kids in school asked her to do the same to their jeans. Nothing was ever wasted. She also insisted we have a massive garden to sustain us all, freezing and canning vegetables and meat to get us through the winter months. Everyone loved her green pickles, lasagna and chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.
She was involved with Argus 4H club, a member of St. John's United Church of Christ and later Union Presbyterian Church in Monroe, WI. She made sure all of us had a religious education as well.
By some inconceivable means, she persevered through the unfathomable heartache when her first born, Larry, joined the Army in 1970 and fought in Vietnam in 1971, the great losses of her Uncle Walter followed by her father Alex Sutter in 1972, Timothy John "Bingo" Sommers 1974, her mother Ella Viola Hanson Sutter in 1977.
The blessing with Tim's passing was his friend Judith Wahl and her toddler, Angie, who were "adopted" as Ma's daughter and granddaughter.
We had never taken a family vacation, Ma had apparently had enough, and took the suggestion from her osteopath, Doc Dinges, and headed to his resort, Sky Blue Water Lodge in northern Minnesota with Clark, Chuck and Heidi in the station wagon. She was fortunate to have spent a month touring her father and uncle's homeland of Switzerland in the 80s.
Eventually, she slid back behind the bar and worked at both Leisure Lanes and Turner Hall in Monroe. She moved her family to New Glarus, working behind the bar at Chalet Landhaus, New Glarus Hotel, and Glarner Stube. Her motto with her naughty children, eventually became "If you can't beat them, join them." She partied along side us many nights in the big house on the hill on Tunnel Road.
Her dream was to build a home at the "15" in Monroe, and became a reality in 1985/86. Later she and Heidi swapped houses, and she filled the yard on 18th Ave with her gorgeous perennials and trees.
Back in Monroe, she worked alongside John and Celeste Disch at Breezy Acres Antiques on Smock Valley Road and later for Sue and Ron Disch at Breezy Acres II on the West side of the Monroe Square. During retirement, she helped homeschool Corlissa and continued to feed her family and friends.
When her body started wearing out, she explored every corner of Southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in her beloved "Silver Beauty", her 2013 Dodge Dart. Daily, she'd stop at Dairy Queen where she asked staff to put extra strawberries on her strawberry sundaes, before heading to Honey Creek Park. Often, she patronized Dunkin Donuts where she insisted they cut her grilled cheese sandwiches diagonally.
Most recently, she enjoyed sitting on the porch in her chair at the "15", soaking in the sun's warmth, watching the horses and the birds.
She leaves behind her sons Larry in Monroe, WI, former daughters-in-law, Vicki Johnson Broge and Vicki Murray Sommers Bolz; David (Elizabeth) Sommers in Milford, TX; Clark (Dena) Gordon in New Glarus; Chuck (Melissa) Gordon in Cottage Grove, WI., daughters Heidi Robertson in Monroe, WI., and Judith Edler in Monticello, grandkids Ceanne (Ryan) Paulson, Cody and Logan Gordon, Corlissa Robertson, Angie (Kim) Neuenschwander, Denelle (Scott Kaster) Gerber, Justin (Amanda) Gerber, Travis (Laura) Jordan, Kourtney (Bill) Hubbard, great grandchildren Kendall, Karis and Keagann Paulson, Kyle and Tyler Neuenschwander, Sutter and Josie Gerber-Kaster, Lukas, Levi and Miles Gerber, Royce, Mabel and Davy Jordan, great great grandson Greyson Neuenschwander; Sister, Betty "Toots" Klessinger and grand dogs Bubba, Lucy, Sandy and Sassy.
Loved ones who have been waiting for her are her father Alex Sutter and mother Ella Sutter, Uncle Walter, son Tim, brother Bobby, her dogs Maetli and Maggie, along with untold friends and family.
Following Niecie's wish, a private family gathering will be held. Condolences may be sent to Niecie Gordon, c/o Heidi Robertson, N3709 Goepfort Rd. Monroe, WI 53566.
Whitcomb-Lynch Funeral Home and Cremation Services
21 S. Austin Road, Janesville, WI (608) 752-2444
www.whitcomb-lynch.com
Like many farm kids of her generation, she and her brother Bobby had graduated from the Round Grove Country school by eighth grade to help run the Sutter Brothers farm at Stearns Station. Compassion for others was deeply ingrained at an early age growing up where it was the norm to open your home to the hobos who stopped at the railroad depot looking for food in exchange for labor and literally give someone the shirt off your back.
She toured the United States with her dear girlfriend Richie and the Motorcycle Maids of America on their Harley Hogs in 1948; she was 19 years old. Her hands were the only outward indication she was afflicted with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis ate the young age of 21. Rarely letting her medical condition slow her down.
Niecie married Laverne "Gus" Sommers when she was 21 and raised three sons Larry, Tim and David Sommers. This was the start of her career behind the bar serving patrons at the bar they ran in Winslow, IL. This is also where she inherited the famous Tom and Jerry recipe from the former owners which we continue to enjoy as a family tradition every Christmas Eve.
She eventually made it back to County FF in Monroe Township, a mile from the Sutter Family Farm where she cared for elderly neighbors Jim Dorty and his schoolmarm sister, Mae, who were loved as family.
Later in life, she married Robert Gordon, adopted his boys Clark and Chuck Gordon, loving them no less than her biological boys. She brought her stepson, Dave Gordon, under her wing as well. She and Robert had a daughter, Heidi. Everyone felt welcome in her presence. Our friends all called her Ma. Many adventures took place along with many memories made at Gordmer Farms on County FF. In addition to farming, raising hogs, sheep and chickens, she prepared incredible meals for our family and farm hands, and somehow also found time to sew clothes. She sewed fabric on the bottom of our jeans when we outgrew them, and many of the kids in school asked her to do the same to their jeans. Nothing was ever wasted. She also insisted we have a massive garden to sustain us all, freezing and canning vegetables and meat to get us through the winter months. Everyone loved her green pickles, lasagna and chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.
She was involved with Argus 4H club, a member of St. John's United Church of Christ and later Union Presbyterian Church in Monroe, WI. She made sure all of us had a religious education as well.
By some inconceivable means, she persevered through the unfathomable heartache when her first born, Larry, joined the Army in 1970 and fought in Vietnam in 1971, the great losses of her Uncle Walter followed by her father Alex Sutter in 1972, Timothy John "Bingo" Sommers 1974, her mother Ella Viola Hanson Sutter in 1977.
The blessing with Tim's passing was his friend Judith Wahl and her toddler, Angie, who were "adopted" as Ma's daughter and granddaughter.
We had never taken a family vacation, Ma had apparently had enough, and took the suggestion from her osteopath, Doc Dinges, and headed to his resort, Sky Blue Water Lodge in northern Minnesota with Clark, Chuck and Heidi in the station wagon. She was fortunate to have spent a month touring her father and uncle's homeland of Switzerland in the 80s.
Eventually, she slid back behind the bar and worked at both Leisure Lanes and Turner Hall in Monroe. She moved her family to New Glarus, working behind the bar at Chalet Landhaus, New Glarus Hotel, and Glarner Stube. Her motto with her naughty children, eventually became "If you can't beat them, join them." She partied along side us many nights in the big house on the hill on Tunnel Road.
Her dream was to build a home at the "15" in Monroe, and became a reality in 1985/86. Later she and Heidi swapped houses, and she filled the yard on 18th Ave with her gorgeous perennials and trees.
Back in Monroe, she worked alongside John and Celeste Disch at Breezy Acres Antiques on Smock Valley Road and later for Sue and Ron Disch at Breezy Acres II on the West side of the Monroe Square. During retirement, she helped homeschool Corlissa and continued to feed her family and friends.
When her body started wearing out, she explored every corner of Southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in her beloved "Silver Beauty", her 2013 Dodge Dart. Daily, she'd stop at Dairy Queen where she asked staff to put extra strawberries on her strawberry sundaes, before heading to Honey Creek Park. Often, she patronized Dunkin Donuts where she insisted they cut her grilled cheese sandwiches diagonally.
Most recently, she enjoyed sitting on the porch in her chair at the "15", soaking in the sun's warmth, watching the horses and the birds.
She leaves behind her sons Larry in Monroe, WI, former daughters-in-law, Vicki Johnson Broge and Vicki Murray Sommers Bolz; David (Elizabeth) Sommers in Milford, TX; Clark (Dena) Gordon in New Glarus; Chuck (Melissa) Gordon in Cottage Grove, WI., daughters Heidi Robertson in Monroe, WI., and Judith Edler in Monticello, grandkids Ceanne (Ryan) Paulson, Cody and Logan Gordon, Corlissa Robertson, Angie (Kim) Neuenschwander, Denelle (Scott Kaster) Gerber, Justin (Amanda) Gerber, Travis (Laura) Jordan, Kourtney (Bill) Hubbard, great grandchildren Kendall, Karis and Keagann Paulson, Kyle and Tyler Neuenschwander, Sutter and Josie Gerber-Kaster, Lukas, Levi and Miles Gerber, Royce, Mabel and Davy Jordan, great great grandson Greyson Neuenschwander; Sister, Betty "Toots" Klessinger and grand dogs Bubba, Lucy, Sandy and Sassy.
Loved ones who have been waiting for her are her father Alex Sutter and mother Ella Sutter, Uncle Walter, son Tim, brother Bobby, her dogs Maetli and Maggie, along with untold friends and family.
Following Niecie's wish, a private family gathering will be held. Condolences may be sent to Niecie Gordon, c/o Heidi Robertson, N3709 Goepfort Rd. Monroe, WI 53566.
Whitcomb-Lynch Funeral Home and Cremation Services
21 S. Austin Road, Janesville, WI (608) 752-2444
www.whitcomb-lynch.com