Until a few weeks ago, Bernice E. Wedell, 98, a retired piano teacher who taught more than 300 students at her home in Des Plaines, played the piano every evening. “She loved life,” said her daughter, Lois Lambkin, adding that until last year her mother had raked leaves and shoveled snow. “She wasn’t ready to die at 98. She wanted to live to 100.” Born in Swedeburg, Neb., Mrs. Wedell died of heart failure Saturday, Aug. 21, in Lincoln Park Hospital in Chicago. Mrs. Wedell was raised on the family farm in Swedeburg, where a piano teacher taught Mrs. Wedell and her four siblings. “My mother was the one who showed the greatest proficiency,” her daughter said. “It was a love from the get-go.” When she was 15, Mrs. Wedell was the church pianist. She majored in classical piano at Luther College in Wahoo, Neb., graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music. After she married in 1928, she moved to Lincoln, Neb., where she worked as a hairdresser until the couple moved to Des Plaines in 1942. In the 1950s, Mrs. Wedell began teaching music to neighborhood children. “Mother was very patient and very encouraging rather than demeaning,” said her daughter who, along with her two brothers, was taught how to play piano. “If someone hadn’t practiced enough, she would say, `We need to work on that some more.'” She retired from teaching in the 1970s, but continued playing each evening–a tradition she started for her late husband, Emil Wedell. Other survivors include a son, Eugene, and eight grandchildren. Services will be held Tuesday and Wednesday in Swedeburg, Neb. A celebration of her life will take place at 2 p.m. Sept. 11 in the family home in Des Plaines.
