Obituary of Bernice Mather

Bernice Mather, age 86, a resident of Wayne Woodlands Manor, Waymart, died Tuesday, April 9, 2024. She was preceeded in death by her husband Glenn Engvaldsen in 2002, and her second husband Reverend Elwood Mather in 2007. Born April 2, 1938, in Brooklyn, NY, Bernice was the daughter of the late William Egner and the late Odny (Monsen) Egner Solheim. Bernice spent many of her summers as a young girl visiting at her grandmother's inn, the area now known as "Little Norway" alongside the Lackawaxen River in Rowland, PA. It was there that she met her first love, Glenn Charles Engvaldsen. After graduating high school, she worked as a beautician and hair model She and Glenn later married in 1959. They spent 43 years together creating a family and doing life together, raising two children, company trips with Montgomery Engineering, camping, snowmobiling and raising Labradors. Formerly a resident of Landing, Hopatcong and Branchville, New Jersey, she moved with Glenn to their home in Glen Eyre alongside the Lackawaxen River after his retirement in the early 1990's. Bernice was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Rowland PA, as well as an active volunteer for the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and knit hats for the newborns. Bernice was an actively involved and devoted Grammie, attending dance recitals, violin performances, sporting events and Grandparent's days at Wallenpaupack school. There was a mutual admiration; her grandchildren loved her as much as she loved all of them. She always brought laughter and joy to those she surrounded and will be missed by many. She is survived by her children Craig Engvaldsen of Rowland and Beth Ferry and husband, Jeff of Glen Eyre; six grandchildren: Cory Moffett, Kristen Dowd, Ryan Dowd, Connor Dowd, Thomas Dowd, Julia Rettle and husband Ethan; one great-granddaughter: Sophia Rettle; and three nephews: John, Randy and Eric Egner. Bernice was also preceded in death by her brother, William Egner. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 15, from 10 to 10:30 am at Bethel Lutheran Church, Church Rd. , Rowland, with funeral service to follow at 10:30 with Reverend Neil Cadle officiating. Burial will be in Rowland Cemetery, Rowland. Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, PO Box 193, Rowland Pa 18454 or to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.