Bernice Leota Olson Schmidt, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, March 19, 2011 at St. Luke's Living Center West. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 24th at Hope Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dan Clark-Bridges presiding. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW. Bernice was born December 2, 1921 at the family farm near Newhall, to Peter Mandius and Nellie Johnson Olson. She married Duane L. Schmidt on April 27, 1941at Benton Lutheran Church north of Norway. During World War II, they lived in New York and Bernice worked at Camp Shanks where Duane was stationed. After the war, they owned and operated the Lincoln Café in downtown Cedar Rapids. Later, they built and managed The Twin Poplar Motel in southwest Cedar Rapids for 30 years until their retirement in 1978. Duane and Bernice were charter members of Hope Lutheran Church and were active in the life of the church. Bernice was active in Women of Hope, Church Women United and New Encounters of Cedar Rapids. Bernice is survived by her son Jerry (Sharon) Schmidt of Cedar Rapids; a daughter Pam Hansen of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren Randy (Kelly), Richmond, Kevin (Shannon Anderson) Schmidt, Carrie (Tom) Detweiler, Carsandra (Adam) Robinson, Carla Hansen, and Crystal (Scott) Richards; eighteen great-grandchildren; great-great-grandson; a sister-in-law, Marcella Olson, of Cedar Rapids; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Duane, on September 18, 1988; a daughter, Candis Stark; grandchildren, Carisa Schmidt and Jonathan Stark; sisters, Margaret Harrison and Frances Melhus; and her brothers, Omer, Evan, Glenn and Loraine Olson. Memorials may be directed to Hope Lutheran Church.