Bernice L. Sainty

Bernice Lydia Sainty

April 24, 1938 – September 10, 2025

Bernice Lydia Sainty (Schiefelbein), age 87, of St. Paul, Minnesota passed away peacefully surrounded by love on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Arnold and Lydia Schiefelbein (Strasburg) on April 24, 1938. She grew up on her family dairy farm in Fall Creek, Wisconsin. She left the cow milking to her father and brothers, and instead learned valuable lessons working in the kitchen and garden with her mother, developing her famous “green thumb” and delicious baking recipes. She attended the Fall Creek small country schools and in high-school met her husband, Norman Otto Sainty. They married April 18, 1959 at Fall Creek’s historic St. John’s Lutheran Church.

She went on to technical school and worked as a clerk at Uniroyal Tire company until they welcomed their first child, Ann. Shortly after, they moved to Falcon Heights (St. Paul), MN when Norm accepted employment at Sperry Univac (Unisys). They settled at their home on Simpson Street in Falcon Heights, MN. With her loving patience & caring nature, she devoted her life to making a home for her 4 children. Her family was her most prized accomplishment.

She shared her love for baking, gardening (especially flowers), and talent for sewing/crafting with her children and grandchildren. She made the best zucchini bread, Christmas cornflake wreaths, and Spritz cookies! Every Christmas, her grandchildren looked forward to their surprise special sewn gifts from Grandma (fleece vests, bathrobes, hats/mittens, monogrammed pillows)! She especially loved visits from her grandchildren, spoiling them with a balance of a full cookie jar and a healthy garden fresh meal. She was a strong but gentle and steady presence, rooted in her faith. A good voice of reason and always there to listen to life’s ups and downs with an open mind and without passing judgement.

When her husband Norm retired early, they spent more time outdoors hiking, looking for blooming wild flowers, bird watching, and canoeing. She was active in their local Falcon Heights United Church of Christ and in the Falcon Heights community in which they lived for 62yrs, with longtime neighbors turning into good friends. Her strength was shown as Norm’s dementia progressed and she remained steadfast by his side during their 64 years of marriage. They ultimately moved to Presbyterian Homes in Roseville. There she made special new friendships, enjoyed playing bingo, sing-alongs, and attending worship services.

Bernice is survived by her daughters, Ann (Steve) Antolick, Pam (Donald) LeMay, and Sandra (Steve) Perkins. Forever remembered, loved, and cherished by her seven grandchildren; Ashley (David) Rakoff, Thomas (Megan) Perkins, Cheryl Birch, Jennifer (Erik) Anderson, Sara (Kade) Bambrough, Megan (Salman) Khan, Rebecca Perkins and six great grandchildren; Logan and Connor Anderson, Ezra and Bear Bambrough, Theodore Perkins, and Henry Khan. She leaves behind her sisters Elaine (Wendy) Frank and Janice Schiefelbein, her brothers Gerald and Steve Schiefelbein (Linda), and many cousins, nieces/nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved son, Jon, and her husband, Norman.

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend may you walk among a garden of flowers!

A celebration of her life with family and friends is planned on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ.

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