Obituary of Bernice Kaiser

Memorial Tribute Bernice Kathryn (Smith) Kaiser, daughter of Albert and Henrietta (Meyers) Smith, was born August 25, 1923 in Sioux City, Iowa. She spent her early childhood years in Sioux City before moving to Sheldon, Iowa with her family. She graduated from Sheldon High School and then from Sheldon Junior College. After junior college, she taught in Matlock, Iowa for two years. On November 24, 1945, Bernice married Vernon Kaiser at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home on the Kaiser family farm near Hospers, Iowa with their daughters, Connie and Sheryl. Sheryl passed away in 1953. In 1962, Bernice returned to teaching in Archer, Iowa. While teaching, she completed her Bachelors degree at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa in 1966. She continued teaching in Archer and then in Paullina, Iowa and retired in 1977. Bernice was a faithful member of the Baker Methodist Church and later the Archer United Methodist Church. During those years she taught Sunday School and shared her musical talents by playing the organ and singing many solos and duets. She also worked on various committees in church, was a guide in many Bible studies and was a member of the United Methodist Women. Music was always a part of her life. In addition to using her musical talents at church, she sang in the O’Brien County Women’s Chorus. She was also a member of many organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma - Alpha Tau chapter, PEO Chapter FX in Paullina and belonged to the Retired Teachers organization. Her love of children was shown through her many years of teaching and her love of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family Fourth of July gatherings on the farm will always be remembered for Bernice’s wonderful potato salad and great pies. Bernice had a passion for crocheting and made many crocheted gifts for her family members. She also enjoyed china painting and playing cards – bridge and 500 were her favorites. She and Vernon were members of several card clubs and enjoyed not only the card playing, but the fellowship of friends. Later in life she spent many hours solving crossword puzzles and playing solitaire. Bernice passed away at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center on March 7, 2016 at the age of 92. With her passing, Bernice joins her parents; her daughter, Sheryl; brothers: Earl, Don and Robert; sister, Harriet Stockdale; sisters-in-law: Betty Smith and Mary Smith; and brother-in-law, Jack Stockdale. Left to cherish memories of Bernice are her husband of 70 years, Vernon; daughter, Connie (Robert) Van Den Oever; grandson, Kirk; granddaughter, Kelli (Scott) Schreiner; four great-grandchildren: Meghan, Alex, Ian and Aubri; sister-in-law, Margaret Smith; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She will be missed greatly by all those who shared her life. Celebration of Life Bernice K. Kaiser Born ~ August 25, 1923 Died ~ March 7, 2016 Age ~ 92 years 6 months 12 days Funeral Service Saturday, March 12, 2016 11:00 a.m. Archer United Methodist Church Archer, Iowa Clergy ~ Pastor Kris Mullen Pianist ~ Joyce Kaiser Musical Tributes DeKok Men "Find Us Faithful" Robert Van Den Oever "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" Congregational Singing Processional ~ "Because He Lives" #364 Recessional ~ "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" #672 Pallbearers Kirk Van Den Oever Scott Schreiner Alex Schreiner Scott Stockdale Bren Stockdale Ron Buren Ushers Randy Porter Dean Johnson Interment Pleasant Hill Cemetery Primghar, Iowa