Berniece Deneen

A.Berniece Deneen, age 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 19, 2016. She was born August 26, 1921, on the family farm in Spring Green. Berniece was the only child to Albert and Amelia (Gorder) Uptgraw.

After graduating from Spring Green High School, she met her future husband James Deneen at the Lilac Gardens Dance Hall. They later married in Dubuque, Iowa in December of 1941. Together they raised three children until his death in 1957, at the age of 40. Berniece was left to raise three children on her own. She always stayed strong and independent for her children, which made them very proud. To help raise her children, Berniece worked as a crossing guard at Washington Grade School and worked for the University of Wisconsin Witte Hall Dormitory until her retirement. Berniece loved her children and grandchildren. She also took great pride in caring for her home.

Berniece is survived by her daughter Janice Deneen, son James Deneen and daughter Sandra ( Deneen) Gillis; grandchildren Amy and Brad Gillis; great -grandson Justin Gillis; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband James and daughter in law Betsy Deneen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2016, at St. Peter Catholic Church, 5001 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison with Monsignor Charles Schluter presiding. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass at the church. Berniece will be laid to rest next to her husband James at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and nursing assistants at Karmenta and those who took Berniece for walks. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Deborah Boushea for her compassionate care.