Bernice Marie (Dunker) Eberhard was born Dec. 18, 1926, in Topeka, KS. She was adopted by Fred & Charlotte (Schlake) Dunker.
Bernice was baptized at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church on Feb 20, 1927, in Ludell, KS, and on April 14, 1940, she renewed her baptismal vows by the Rite of Confirmation.
Her elementary years were completed in Ludell at Immanuel Lutheran School and the Ludell Public School. While attending the Atwood, KS, Community High School she was a member of the choir, performed in plays and operettas, played flute in the band and was part-time secretary in the Music Dept. Bernice was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated from Atwood High in 1944. From 1944 - 1946 she attended Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE. Her teaching career began in 1946 at Christ Lutheran School, Perry, OK.
On August 3, 1947, she married Louis Charles Eberhard at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ludell, KS. Their first home was in Los Angeles, CA, where Lou was a teacher at St. John's Lutheran School. Bernice worked as the receptionist for an optometrist, cashier at a clothing store and later taught for two years...[more]
rs at St. John's Lutheran School in Montebello, CA
In 1951 Lou & Bernice accepted Calls to teach at Peace Lutheran School in Antigo, WI. Three children were born to them there: Gerald, Melanie and Ronald. In 1963 Lou & Bernice accepted Calls to Trinity Lutheran School in Greeley, CO. During this time Bernice also attended the Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado). In 1977 Lou & Bernice accepted Calls to teach at Zion Lutheran School in Brighton, CO. Bemice retired from teaching in 1983.
Bernice has been active in the Lutheran Womens Mission League, church choirs, Sunday School, Vacation Bible Schools and nursing home church services. She found much joy in her children and grandchildren - and recently her great grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, visiting historic places and touring America's castles. She had a marvelous singing voice and had many favorite hymns which she'd sing while Lou played the piano or organ. Her favorite color was yellow - it reminded her of the beautiful sunflowers in her birth state of Kansas. Her family loved her regular gifts of coffee cake and sometimes argued over who got to receive some from the latest batch! She had a passion for cleaning - dusting, vacuuming & all. During slow times of teaching she would hire out to clean other folks houses (none of her children have that same passion). In Bernice's world, you truly could eat off the floors! Her recent years were filled with Pinochle Club, going to great-grandchildren's events and watching the Colorado Rockies play ball. She rarely missed a game & could tell you the details of what happened. She taught all of her children to love reading and always had articles from papers & magazines to share with everyone.
Bernice is survived by her children and their spouses: Jer (Mary) Eberhard, Melanie (Bill) Brye, Ron (Sharon) Eberhard; grandchildren: Lisa (Tim) Fitzgerald, Angela (Kyle) Erickson, Katherine (Justin) Hannemann, Bryan Caviness, Moriah (Mark) Edmundson, Andrew (Lauren) Eberhard, Micah Eberhard, Daniel (Carlie) Eberhard and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Betty Bird, 12 nieces & nephews, along with many cousins and friends. Her husband, Louis Eberhard, preceeded her in death on 7/11/15.
Memorials may be contributed to the Trinity Lutheran Scholarship Fund (Greeley CO), Concordia University (Seward, NE) or the Zion Lutheran School (Brighton CO).
Tabor-Rice Funeral Home handled arrangements.