Bernice Friend
1924 - 2016
Obituary
Bernice Friend, 91, passed away in
Medicine Lodge, Kansas on Saturday (Feb. 20, 2016).
Bernice was born on April 20, 1924 in
rural Leigh to David S. and Anna (Friesen) Klassen. She was the
oldest of four children.
Bernice started her teaching career at
the age of 18 where she taught in a one-room school house. She
attended Tabor College in Hillsboro and later at Grace Bible
Institute in Omaha, Neb. In the early 1950s she was called to the
mission field and went to Japan and taught missionary children for
four years.
When she returned home from Japan she
met Don Friend. After a two-week courtship, she married Don on Sept.
21, 1957. They were an instant family with Don having four children:
Kathy, James, Max and Danny. Later, they had two children: Dean and
Ann. They were married for 58 years prior to her passing.
Bernice continued her education and
graduated from Friends University in 1965. She began teaching
kindergarten in the Norwich School System that next year with Ann as
one of her students. She also taught music and later moved to
teaching first grade. She loved teaching children to read!
The family moved to Medicine Lodge in
1976 where Bernice continued her teaching career. She retired in 1980
due to health reasons. Later that year they moved to Bentley and then
to Newton where they lived until December of 2015 and returned to
Medicine Lodge.
She loved music and could play the
piano by ear. She could hear the song once and sit down and play it.
Many evenings were spent with the family around the piano singing and
Bernice playing. She always had a smile on her face and a positive
outlook. Bernice had a very strong faith in God and was always ready
to do his will. She was active in every church they attended and led
many women's bible studies, Vacation Bible School and Sunday schools.
She is survived by her husband, Don
Friend; daughter, Ann (and Kelly) McNett; brother in law, Ken Shultz;
and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her
parents, David and Anna Klassen; brothers, Leonard and Elmer;
sister-in-laws, Rosalie and Lea; sister, Doris Shultz; sons, James,
Max, Dan and Dean; daughter, Kathy; and one grandchild, Philip Fagan.
Funeral arrangements are scheduled for
2 p.m., Wednesday (Feb. 24, 2016) at the Grace Community Chapel.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 23, 2016) at
Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. The family will be present from 6 to
7 p.m. to greet friends.
A memorial has been set up for
International Christian Enterprise, 596 Monterey Dr., Keller, TX
76248. Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
