Bernice L. Pederson

Bernice Lorene (Molinsky Thiele) Pederson, 83, of Watertown passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Bernie was born on March 5, 1943, in Oelwein, Iowa to Edmund Molinsky and Doris LaMoyne Reynolds Molinsky.

Bernie married Edward A. Thiele of Oelwein, IA on May 11, 1963. She married David W. Pederson of Watertown, WI on 7/21/2007.

She graduated from Madison Area Technical College as an LPN, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a BSN. She was very proud to be a Badger.

Bernie worked as a nurse for 19 years and loved her time as a staff RN in the Emergency Department of Watertown Regional Medical Center, and the cardiac rehab to end her career.

She was a longtime member of St. Bernard’s Church in Watertown, where she had taught religious education, and had great fun participating in their Winterfests, and Contemporary Choir. She was a member of the Watertown Arts Council and was involved with several Art Fairs at Riverside Park. She taught classes at MATC-Watertown and volunteered at the Watertown Women’s Free Clinic.

She was preceded in death by husband David W. Pederson, and her parents. She is survived by her children, Edward “Clay” Thiele, Columbus, WI; Jenifer Thiele Wallman (Andrew), Cambridge, WI; Katherine Ellen Trapp (Anthony), three granddaughters, Madeline Wallman Morello (Michael), Lucille Wallman and Lillian Wallman, and one great-grandson; a stepson, Jason Pederson, Watertown, WI; step-grandchildren Jacob Pederson, Maya Pederson, Justin Pederson, Watertown, WI; sisters Karen Cannon, Oelwein, IA and Carmen Corbett (Charles), Watertown, WI; and brother Edmund Molinsky (Marsha), Waverly, IA.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm at the Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home at 500 Welsh Street, Watertown, on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 12:00pm until the time of service. Burial will follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown.

The family expresses their gratitude to the nurses and medical professionals at Rainbow Hospice, Watertown Regional Medical Center, and The Marquardt, and to her many great friends and colleagues who helped out during the past few years.