In loving memory of
Bernice Bishop Birkenmaier
February 1, 2004
Bernice Bishop Birkenmaier, age 92, of 3618 Harbor Landing, Quincy, died Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 10:30 pm in Blessing Hospital.
She was born February 8, 1911 in Hancock County, Illinois, the daughter of Jacob Eden and Maude Cox Bishop. On September 14, 1933, she married Robert G. Birkenmaier. He preceded her in death in January of 1988.
Bernice was class poet and valedictorian at Bowen High School, and taught grades 1-8 in a one room school house near Bowen. She attended Gem City Business College.
Bernice was called "Bunny" by her family and neighborhood children. She loved poetry, puzzles, writing, reading, her bridge and dominoes partners, her "Van-Gang", her Chapter IE of P.E.O. sisters, her many dear friends, and her family.
She was a member of Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ, and had a deep and abiding faith. Bernice was a member of the Eastern Star, and a long-time member of P.E.O. During WWII, she volunteered as a Gray Lady at the hospital and helped establish the first Blessing Hospital Tea Room. She was a long-time member of the Spring Lake Country Club and the Women's City Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Sherrill Birkenmaier Turner, Quincy; a granddaughter, Lindsey Birke Eden, Boulder, CO; a God daughter, Judy Bitter Foster, Cincinnati, OH; 2 sisters, Eula Lutz, Carthage, IL; Wylma West, Grand Junction, CO; a brother, Harold Bishop, Carthage, IL; nieces, Donna Long and Patt Murphy, Carthage, and Nancy Klotz, Pembroke Pines, FL. She is also survived by Barbara Birkenmaier Hutmacher and Ellen Birkenmaier Koenig, both of Quincy; Angela West, Albuquerque, NM; Linn West Kite, Glenwood Springs, CO, and Linda, April and Kim Magel, CA. Surviving nephews include, John D. "Jack" Birkenmaier, Quincy; Father Kenneth Morris, Chicago; Patrick Morris, Culowhee, NC; James Bettisworth, CA; William Bettisworth, Birmingham, MI; Maurice West, Denver, CO; Bill Reuck, Colorado Springs, CO, and Thomas Bishop, Carthage.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters, Elizabeth Blossom and Ruby Bettisworth; 2 brothers, Harry Quentin and William Russell Bishop, and 2 nieces, Margery Magel and Barbara Bettisworth.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Thursday, February 5, 2004 at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Rev. Wanda Seydel and Rev. Mary Gates officiating. Chapter IE, P.E.O. will conduct P.E.O. services at the start of the funeral. The family will receive friends from 3-6 pm Wednesday at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Burial will be in Quincy Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Large Print Book Outreach Program of Quincy Public Library or Blessing Foundation for Hospice.