Berniece K. Mazanec

Mazanec, Berniece K. Age 90 of Coon Rapids, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2025 after a brief illness. Born in 1934 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to German immigrants from rural Odessa (then Russia), she attended Catholic school from grades 1-8 and graduated from Central High School in Aberdeen in 1952. She worked her way through college, obtaining a bachelor's in business administration. She then moved to the Twin Cities and worked for several major companies where she learned on the job to program in COBOL, becoming one of the first female programmers of the 1960s. During this time, she met her husband Dick in a social group for Catholic professionals. She "retired" for the first time in 1969, and the couple had two children, Karen and Paul. She stayed home with the kids for many years, providing them with countless opportunities to pursue and develop different interests and talents, while volunteering in the schools, community, and her church, St. Tim's. In 1983, she began working as a reference clerk at the Anoka County Library in Blaine, pursuing her passion for reading and thirst for knowledge. She remained there for over 20 years until retiring in 2004 at age 70. After retiring, she began to travel, visiting Karen in Greece, Italy, and Mexico, taking cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Alaska, hiking all 67 Minnesota State Parks with Dick, and making trips back to Aberdeen for class reunions. She also became very active in the senior organizations of St. Tim's and Coon Rapids and continued to cheer on and curse at the Minnesota Twins every season. She worked hard to maintain a sharp mind by solving crosswords, sudokus, and cozy mysteries, keeping up with the latest news on the Internet, taking Spanish classes, and creating detailed to-do lists each night to make the most of every day. She truly lived a full and fulfilling life! Berniece is survived by her daughter Karen (Paco) of Mexico City and son Paul (Michelle) and granddaughter Laura of Ham Lake. Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, August 13 at 11am (visitation 10am) at the Church of St. Timothy, 707 89th Ave. NE, Blaine, followed by a luncheon. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Thursday, August 14 at 10:30am. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Coon Rapids Chapel 763-767-1000

Tributes

Berniece K. Mazanec

August 8, 1934 - July 8, 2025

Tributes

Berniece K. Mazanec

August 8, 1934 - July 8, 2025

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