BLAIRSTOWN:  Bernice Lillian (Miller) Wittenburg, 82, died suddenly Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 at the Keystone Care Center in Keystone, Iowa.  Bernice had suffered from Parkinson's disease.  Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 24, at Grace Lutheran Church officiated by the Rev. David Rempfer.  Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church on Sunday, Dec. 23.  Burial will be in the Mound Cemetery at Watkins.
     Bernice was born Oct. 23, 1925 ---the first-born child of Charles and Minnie (Hamer) Miller, who lived near Linn Junction.  Upon graduation from Toddville High School, Bernice worked as a secretary until her marriage on Dec. 10, 1948 to William Carl Wittenburg, Jr. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.  Bernice and Bill farmed south of Blairstown, Iowa.  They moved to a house in Blairstown in 1978 while continuing to farm with their son, Raymond Wittenburg and brother-in-law Edward Wittenburg (brother of Bill).  Bernice was once a member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church of rural Marengo.  For the past approximately 40 years she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown.
     Bernice was known for her gigantic vegetable gardens, her love of flowers, her home-cooked meals, her gentle ways, her sewing skills, her incredible organizational skills, her love of the color purple, and her passion for Iowa Women's Basketball.  Bernice's parents gave her the middle name of Lillian in honor of her Aunt Lillian Miller, 94, who resides in Cedar Rapids.
     Bernice is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Wittenburg of Wayzata, Minn, and Bonnie's husband and daughter - Steven Suppan and Sara.  She is also survived by her two sons, Raymond and Andrew Wittenburg.  Raymond farms the family farm south of Blairstown.  Andrew and Kathy Wittenburg of Florence, Oregon, have two sons - Caleb and Timothy.  Other survivors are her sister, Lois Mackey of Ely, and brother, Wilbur Miller of Olin.  She is also survived by her special friends, Steve and Debbie Hacker of rural Marengo, and their son, Matthew.
     Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, William, who died suddenly on Dec. 23, 1988 nearly 19 years to the day of Bernice's death.  Also preceding her in death were her parents and a sister, Hazel Eberhard of Springville.
     The family wishes to express their thanks to the Keystone Care Center for the care it provided for Bernice.
     A memorial fund has been established.
      Phillips Funeral Home in Blairstown is in charge of arrangements.