Helen "Bernice" Lindell, 101, of Stephen, MN, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2026, at the Karlstad Senior Living Center.

Bernice was born May 27, 1924, in rural Augsburg Township, Stephen, MN, to Erick and Hilda (Sjoo) Paulson. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church. After attending rural country school in Augsburg Township, she graduated from Karlstad High School in 1943 and attended teachers training in both Warren and Bemidji, MN. Bernice was a rural schoolhouse teacher for six years. She taught at the McGlynn School, Allerd Nelson School, and the Parr School in Fork Township, rural Stephen. She was united in marriage to William "Bill" Lindell on July 15, 1945, at Salem Lutheran Church.

Bill and Bernice proudly farmed in Fork Township, west of Stephen, until retirement. For more than 20 winters, they worked as a professional butler and cook in the Wayzata, MN, area. They moved into Stephen in 1977 and then into Tamarac Senior Housing in 2005. Bernice later moved into the Karlstad Senior Living facilities. Bernice enjoyed gardening, bird watching, housekeeping, entertaining family and friends, reading books, staying current on events, and baking (even serving as a Betty Crocker Home Test Kitchen Baker). Bill and Bernice traveled around the U.S. and to Scandinavian countries. Bill passed away on June 4, 2017. They had been happily married for 72 years.

Bernice's deep faith in God shaped the way she lived, and was reflected in her gracious nature, compassionate spirit, and generous heart. She will be fondly remembered as a thoughtful aunt, who loved her family and served as their prayer warrior. She was honored to be the oldest member of the First Lutheran Church in Stephen, and to serve as a member of WELCA, the Swedish Agassiz Society, and the Stephen Garden Club.

Bernice is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and 13 godchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Lindell; her parents, Erick and Hilda Paulson; hers sisters, Elna (infant), Evelyn (George) Heggen, Margaret (Gordon) Erickson, Ardell (Marshall) Fering, and Jane (Chester) Anderson; brothers, Paul (Irene) Paulson and Arden (Esther) Paulson; and nephews, Roger Heggen, Loren Fering, and Michael and Gregory Paulson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Stephen, MN. Visitation will be held in the church one hour prior to the service, and interment will follow at the Stephen City Cemetery. The funeral service will be live-streamed on the First Lutheran Church of Stephen's Facebook page. The link to their Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/flcstephen/

In lieu of flowers, Bernice's family asks that you please send donations to the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library or another charity of your choice. Donations for the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library can be sent to: Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library, c/o Library Program Director, 400 NE Stinson Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55413.