Obituary of Bernice Naistus

Bernice passed away in Onion Lake, SK on December 20, 2023 at the age of 66 years.

Bernice Rose Naistus was born December 4, 1957 to Edward Runningaround and Clara Paddy.  She was raised in Ministikwan Saskatchewan where she met her loving husband Martin of 50 years, the love of her life.  Together they raised 3 daughters in Onion Lake, SK.  Bernice was a hard driven worker, she didn’t know how to sit still and was always finding something to do. Her favorite hobbies were making moccasins, mukluks and sewing.  She had many orders for Christmas and was proud of her work often gifting to her daughters and grandkids. She loved going on trips overseas, she went to Israel 4 times and took a lot of pictures and videos always sharing and showing them off to loved ones. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed travelling with her family to the Mountains. Trips with her husband were always remembered with souvenirs and gifts for everyone.  Christmas was her favorite time of the year where and she enjoyed staying up late into the morning wrapping presents with her daughters.  

Bernice was a career woman, she worked for the Onion Lake Health Board as a home care aide for 28 years.  She enjoyed working with the elderly, visiting and caring for them.  But Bernice pursued her dream to open up her own business. In 2001 the East Side Café was open you could often hear Bernice singing and dancing to the music while she cooked and also loved visiting with all her customers. 

She loved her family and everytime she would see them her face would light up.  She was her Dad’s girl and he brought her so much pride, she treasured every moment with him.   Her daughters and husband know just how much she loved them with how well she took care of them. Bernice loved the 
summer and a good fire outside the house.  Family and friends were always invited and celebrations and visiting gathered late into the nights.  Bernice was the first one to go rescue family if they got stuck, she didn’t even mind if it happened after midnight..  She loved and cared for her family and friends so much.

She will be sadly missed by everyone.  

Bernice is survived by: her loving husband, Martin;  daughters,  Angie (Steven), Charity, and Tammy;  adopted daughter, Wynter Dawn Chief; adopted son, Clifford Leroy Paddy; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; her baby (great granddaughter) Paisley Rayne Naistus she raised as her own; her precious baby puppy, Smally (aka Smelly); father, Edward (Sheila); siblings, Darlene Paddy, Wallace (Serena) Paddy, Ricky Crookedneck, Amelia known as Roberta (Shaun) Crookedneck of Ministikwin, SK , Bonnie Stone, Kyla Wapass, Quinton Wapass, Eddie Wapass, Ivor Wapass of Thunderchild and Sylvia (Greg) Dillon of Canoe Lake, SK.

Bernice was predeceased by: her mother, Clara Paddy, great-grandfather, Daniel Crookedneck, her great-grandmother, Florence Oseemeenaow and grandmother, Minnie (Mama) Paddy (2010); grandfather, Archie Paddy; uncles, Clarence Paddy (2009), Bruce Paddy (2020) her auntie Claudette Harper; granddaughter, Brandi Naistus (2021), sister, Sandra Gladue (2022), Curtis Paddy (2023), Calvin Crookedneck.

The Wake will be conducted from Onion Lake Log Church, Onion Lake Cree Nation, SK Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 2:00 PM.

The Funeral Service will be conducted from Onion Lake Log Church, Onion Lake Cree Nation, SK Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM.

The funeral card for Bernice can be viewed or downloaded from the link below.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/4c78e00e-46df-4127-b831-dbbb35663809