Bernice Harsch, age 89, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL, went to be with the Lord peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, December 9, 2018. She was born May 14, 1929 in Millet, Alberta Canada to Herman and Bertha Kern.

Bernice grew up on a farm outside of Millet, the oldest daughter of eight children. As a teenager she accepted Christ as her Savior and decided to get Bible training at Christian Training Institute in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where she met Ray Harsch. They fell in love and married on July 5, 1952. They served as missionaries on the Bull Indian Reservation in Alberta. They lived in Sioux Falls, SD where he went to college and seminary and where their first two children where born. They went on to serve North American Baptist churches in Leduc, Alberta, Canada, Greeley, Colorado, and Cedar Falls, Iowa.

In 1969 they moved to the Chicago area where Ray served for 25 years at the NAB Conference Headquarters. Bernice supported Ray in their final ministry years with the Billy Graham Association until they retired in 2002. They were faithful members of Village Green Baptist Church in Glen Ellyn, IL.

She enjoyed gardening and sewing. Her greatest joy and desire was to spend time with her family. She loved each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren uniquely, so that they all felt that they were her favorite. Most of all, she loved Jesus. She lived and served Him her entire life.

She is survived by three children, Cherie (Phil) Koch of Wheaton, Rev. Douglas (Barbara) Harsch of Niles and Glenn (Melanie) Harsch of Qingdao, China, six grandchildren, Joel (Sarah) Koch, Alison Koch, D. Aaron (Jessica) Harsch, Andrew (Darian) Harsch, Nena Harsch, and Malee Harsch, and four great-grandchildren, Hailey, Liam, Phoenix and Hope. She is also survived by four siblings and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond in 2006, one son, Murray, and great-grandson, Abel.

A memorial service will be held December 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Windsor Park Auditorium.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Samaritan's Purse.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.

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