Bernice “Bunny” Nixa
After a long and faith-filled life, our mother Bernice “Bunny” Nixa, age 103, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023 at Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th where she had resided since October 23, 2023. Up until that time, she had lived independently in her own home.
Bunny was born on July 27, 1920 in Orion township, Olmsted County, MN to Walter and Anna (Fogarty) McConnell, the youngest of seven children. Her family farm was a very special place to her, having been in her family since her parents married in 1905. She oversaw its operation up until the time of her death.
She attended country school and then attended St. John’s Catholic High School in Rochester, graduating in 1938. She graduated from Rochester State Junior College in 1940 and went on to work at Mayo Clinic as medical secretary to Dr. William Plummer and his team. On August 11, 1943, she was united in marriage to Eugene Nixa at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She became a stay-at-home mom in 1950 when their first child was born. In 1962 she returned to Mayo working in administration until her retirement in 1982.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers, Robert, Raymond and Joseph; three sisters, Elizabeth, Evelyn, and Virginia; and by her husband Eugene in 2004. She is survived by her four children, Michael (Nancy) Nixa, Mary Jo (Wayne) Wilson, Richard (Gail) Nixa and Patrick (Cindy) Nixa. Eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 6 step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass for Bunny will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church on Monday, December 4, 2023 with Father James Steffes officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served after Mass in the Resurrection Lunch Hall. Burial will take place at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Eyota, MN beginning at 1:30 p.m. Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Memorials are preferred to Samaritan Bethany Foundation or Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church.
We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th for their wonderful care and support of Bunny and to St. Croix Hospice for helping us navigate through her final days.
(A reminder from Bunny: “Always count your blessings.”)
