A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Bernetta Maras, age 92, of Windom, will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 19th, at the American Lutheran Church in Windom with Pastor Sarah Larsen Tade officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Windom.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Thursday morning, September 19th, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at American Lutheran Church in Windom.

Bernetta Elizabeth was the ninth child born to Frederick Soleta, Jr. and Louise (Dally) Soleta on July 9, 1932. She was baptized and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Bernetta attended country school for the first six years, then went to Windom High School, graduating in 1950.

She was united in marriage to Isadore Maras in 1952. Six children were born into this union; Gale, Gary, Janet, Jeanne, Jerald and Lisa. They lived on a farm north of Windom until 1972, then moved into Windom. Bernetta worked as a dispatcher for over twenty-six years for Cottonwood County Sheriff.

Isadore passed away in 1988 from cancer. After retiring from dispatching in 1998, Bernetta enjoyed golfing until 2002 and spent twelve winters in Arizona. She enjoyed flowers and spending many hours working in her yard.

Bernetta passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Windom at the age of 92 years.

Bernetta is survived by her six children, Gale Bondhus (John Croat) of Storden, Gary Maras of Oakdale, Janet Maras of Windom, Jeanne (Kim) Holck of Jeffers, Jerald aka Frank (Marie) Maras of Albert Lea, and Lisa Farag of Windom; ten grandchildren, Garrett (Jill) Bondhus of Mantorville, Kari (Kyle) Pankonin of Lamberton, Jill (Duane) Herrald of New Brighton, Jami (Matt) Fawley of Maplewood, Lindsey Maras of Oakdale, Alarie (Nick) Cadwallader of Orono, Jacob Holck of Sauk Centre, Elizabeth Moore of Sioux Falls, SD, Zachary Farag of Faribault, and Adam (Kylie) Farag of Platte City, MO; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a two-month-old granddaughter, Jaclyn Maras; great-grandson, Nathan Fawley; brothers, Vernon, Clarence (Hazel), Lester (Rosella), Lennie (Kathy and Pat); sisters, Violet (Howard) Arndt, Edith (Mervin) Arndt, Pansy (Marvin) Purrington, Delores (Harry) Fast; and daughter-in-law, Denise Maras.