Bernice R. Brown

Bernice R. Brown, 91 of Oshkosh, passed away at CopperStone of Neenah on February 16, 2026. She was born in Scandinavia, WI on February 4, 1935 to the late Clarence and Ruth (Larsen) Sheveland.

Bernice was a true partner to her husband, John Brown, whom she married on February 13, 1954. Together, they built a beautiful family, raising five wonderful children.

Throughout her life, Bernice was a remarkable homemaker with an extraordinary talent for entertaining. Her home was always open, the coffeepot was always on, and she gladly hosted countless parties and family gatherings, filling the home with life and laughter.

Bernice was a true creative, with an eye for detail and a perfectionistic streak. Whether she be painting pottery, refinishing furniture, sewing stunning wedding dresses for her daughters, or creating an intricate quilt, her craftsmanship always shone. She also loved to garden, filling her home with the beauty of fresh flowers.

Bernice poured her heart into her family and loved her children and grandchildren fiercely. The only person she loved more was her Savior, Jesus Christ. She raised her children to know Him as well, making sure that every time the doors of the church opened, they were there, and her children are eternally grateful for her faithfulness. Bernice is survived by her son, Phillip (Lynn) Brown; daughters, Susan (Stephen) Dignan, Shari (Steven) Rantala, Sandi (Stephen) Spence and Sarah (Steven) Rutledge; grandchildren, John Brown, Jeffrey (Stephanie) Brown, Stephan (Audrey) Ryder, Elizabeth (Michael) Liu, David (Renee) Dignan, Kyle (Danielle) Dignan, Peter Dignan, Matthew (Fiona) Dignan, Quintin Dignan, Jackson Rantala, Michael (Ashley) Spence, Lauren (Zach) Miller, Emily Spence, Josiah Rutledge, Lucy Rutledge, Elijah Rutledge and Noah Rutledge; great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Caleb, Ivy, Henry, Madilyn, Emersyn, Cyrus, Asher, Scarlett, Tommy.

In addition to her parents, Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, John Brown; brothers, Leroy (Elaine) Sheveland, Earl (Darlene) Sheveland, Gordon (Delores) Sheveland, George (Marcia) Sheveland, and Richard (Patricia d. 1972, Gloria d. 2025) Sheveland.

A funeral service for Bernice will be at MillCity Church-Oshkosh, 3250 W 9th Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54904 on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will be held at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service. To view the livestream funeral service, please visit https://www.youtube.com/live/ZpORfAt8QZs. Interment will be held at Lake View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the day care at MillCity Church in Bernice's memory. It is a cause she held close to her heart, and your contributions would be deeply appreciated.