Florence Berneking

Florence Berneking, the daughter of Herman and Gertrude (Hansen) Origer, was born February 8, 1922 on a farm in Emmet County Iowa.  She departed this life July 21, 2021, at 99-½ years old (and don’t forget the ½!), at her home in Sequim, Washington.

She attended rural school in Iowa, and Gruver High School, Gruver, Iowa.  She graduated from Estherville, Iowa Junior College in 1941 and from Ft. Hays Kansas State College in 1948.  She loved children, teaching into her 70’s. 

She married Carleton Berneking in 1945 and after World War II they moved to Hays, Kansas to make their home.  Their three children, Rex, Ruth and Kay, were born and raised there.

Florence taught school and kept busy with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sunday school teaching, and work in the women’s groups at the Methodist Church.  In 1997 she moved to Wichita, Kansas to live with her daughter, Kay, and her family, helping the family following the death of her daughter.  In 2007 she moved to Sequim, Washington to make her home with her son and his family.  She lived very close to many of her great grandchildren, spending time with them until her death.

Florence loved life and was active and engaged in it to the end - attending church, playing games (especially Scrabble) with her friends, giggling with great grandchildren and wanting to be with her family - traveling to visit them in the Midwest into her 90’s.

Florence is survived by a son, Rex (wife, Penny), a daughter, Ruth Mareda (husband, John), and son-in-law, Fulton Calvery.  She leaves ten grandchildren:  Daniel (Corrie), Rebecca, Mark (Holly), James (Sharon), Mary, Elizabeth (Nathan), Steven (Jessica), Samuel (Christa), Chaney (Chris) and Melanie (Carter); and twelve great grandchildren: Luke, Ruth, Hannah, Peter, Caleb, Zadok, Lydia, Adam, Brynlee, Lilliana, Bailey and Rylan. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carleton, a daughter, Kay Calvery, her parents, a sister, Velma, and brothers and their wives, Francis (Lucille), Ralph (Betty), Maurice (Peggy), and Vernon (Vera).

We are grateful for those who helped us care for Mom at home until her death.

A celebration of life service will be held August 7 at 3:00 pm at the Peninsula Evangelical Friends Church, 1291 N. Barr Rd., Port Angeles, WA.  Cremation has taken place and the family will have a private graveside service at a later date.  Remains will be buried in Green Mound Cemetery, Mitchell County, Kansas.  In light of Florence’s enduring gratitude for all veterans, we ask that memorial contributions be sent to the Captain Joseph House Foundation, 1108 South Oak St., Port Angeles, WA 98362.  

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