CLASS OF 1951
Bernice R. Christopher age 85, of rural Osawatomie, Kansas went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas.
Bernice was born May 17, 1933 in Osawatomie, Kansas the only child to Jesse Austin and Barbara Elizabeth (Bennett) Hicks. She grew up in rural Osawatomie attending a one-room schoolhouse in her youth and going on to graduate from Osawatomie High School in 1951. After graduation Bernice began working at Osawatomie State Hospital where she became a Licensed Mental Health Technician: Level 3. She retired from the State Hospital in 1995.
On January 1, 1954 Bernice married the love of her life, Earl L. Christopher in Osawatomie, Kansas. They made their home in rural Osawatomie and became the parents of one daughter, Sharon. Bernice’s greatest joys in life revolved around her family. Her favorite activities throughout the years included traveling, cooking, gardening, crocheting, and being a part of whatever project her husband may be working on. Bernice also had a great love of animals, from her childhood pet crow “Jimmy” and horse “Smokey” to many cats and dogs over the years. Bernice and Earl were also active members of their church, Faith Baptist Church of Osawatomie. They were charter members of the church and Bernice attended faithfully until her health began to fail.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
She is survived by her daughter Sharon (Charlie) Schmidt of Paola, Kansas, granddaughters: Shannon (David) Ratley of Gardner, Kansas, Staci (Kevin) Berger of Gardner, Kansas, great grandchildren: Addisen Ratley, Brayden Ratley, Amelia Berger, Nathen Ratley, and Ava Berger.
Services will be Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, followed by burial at Osawatomie Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, April 15, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be David Ratley, Shannon Ratley, Kevin Berger, Staci Berger, Charlie Schmidt, and Christopher Schmidt.
Visitation: 6-8 pm Monday April 15, 2019
Service: 10:30 am Tuesday April 16, 2019 all at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
Burial: Osawatomie Cemetery
Memorial contributions will be used to purchase lifelike therapeutic companion animals for residents of local memory care homes.