Burnell “Bernie” (Israelson) Netteland passed away on Wednesday, December 13th, 2023, at her home in Broomfield, Colorado. She was 91 years old.

Born Agnes Burnell Israelson on November 21st,1932, to Agnes Christine (Berg) and Isreal Emmett Israelson in Thief

River Falls, Minnesota, she went by her middle name Burnell and was more affectionately known to all as “Bernie.”

Bernie spent most of her growing up years in Thief River Falls, but also spent a period of time as a young girl in Bremerton, WA with her parents during the war effort. Bernie’s passion was always singing and she was gifted with a voice that served that passion. She was decorated with many awards throughout her youth at county fairs, festivals, and school choir competitions. Bernie graduated in 1951 from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.

On March 23rd, 1952, Bernie was united in marriage to Dale A. Netteland. They moved to Torrance, CA that fall, returning to Thief River Falls in 1953 where Dale began his railroad career. By 1955, Bernie was a full-time mother and housewife with a son and a daughter, and she and Dale returned to Torrance with their young family. In 1963, they had a second daughter.

Bernie delighted in being a mother and homemaker. She renovated many homes, and hosted countless dinners and lavish Christmas Eve gatherings throughout the years. She began a career working outside the home at RG Wallace in 1965, later working at McDonnell Douglas. By then she had already begun her professional singing career in California, performing on the weekends up and down the Pacific coast at many different venues. Bernie had a loyal fan base which included Clint Eastwood and Jack Jones.

In 1971, Bernie moved back to Thief River Falls where she began a 10 year career with Arctic Enterprises. She continued singing professionally at clubs, weddings, after-prom ceremonies, and other venues. She was featured on local television several times while performing. One of her proudest achievements was performing live with a big swing band at The Chester Fritz Auditorium in Grand Forks, ND, in a musical tribute to Duke Ellington.

In late 1981, Bernie moved to Colorado. She concluded her full-time working career retiring from Carefree of Colorado in Broomfield after many years of service. She continued to work in a part-time capacity at her niece’s business, AllPro, Inc. This afforded Bernie and her niece Janet (who was like a sister) to travel to many trade show destinations. They also traveled together recreationally to many other locales around the globe.

Bernie always continued singing well past her retirement. Her last performance was on her 90th birthday at VFW Post 7945 in Thornton, CO, where she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for many years. Bernie was richly involved in the Post’s annual USO Shows for over 20 years, which raised funds for her beloved veterans. Bernie treasured all of her friends she met through the VFW over the years.

Besides her lifelong love of music and song, Bernie delighted in butterflies and amassed a beautiful collection. She adored babies and animals of all kinds. Above all, she cherished spending time with her family. Bernie is survived by daughter Sherry Netteland (Skip Foltz) of Westminster, CO, daughter Valerie Duggan of Thornton, CO, grandson Ian Rinde (Melanie Robertson) of Henderson, NV, grandson Tyler Duggan (Kristie Latimore) of Commerce City, CO, grandson Dylan Duggan of Thornton, CO, niece Janet Jensen Brookhart (Scott Brookhart) of Broomfield, CO, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, and son Craig.

Bernie left us all with a special song in our hearts. She will be dearly missed.