Berniece M. (Roth) Beckler
Feb. 7, 1929 - Jan. 15, 2015
Berniece Mary (Roth) Beckler was born on Feb. 7, 1929, on a farm south of Milford to Chris and Mary (Roth) Roth, the second of six children, and went to her heavenly home on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, at Emeritus Heartland Park in Seward at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 8 days.
As a young girl, Berniece accepted Christ as her personal savior and was baptized at East Fairview Mennonite Church, where she was a life-long faithful member. She attended Milford Public school.
Berniece went to work for Rolfsmeier Dairy near Seward and later with Gold’s Department Store in Lincoln. She also worked for Dahl’s Ceramics and volunteered at the Et-Cetera Shop in Seward in her later years. On Aug. 29, 1948, she was united in marriage to Clayton Beckler at East Fairview Mennonite Church. To this union seven children were born: Janet, Iris, David, Sara, Michael, Carl and Russell.
Together they made their home briefly in Wellman, Iowa, before returning to farm southwest of Milford, where Berniece was a helper to Clayton with the many farming chores. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was a wonderful cook. Berniece was known for her cinnamon rolls, angel food cakes and homemade noodles. She loved to quilt, making special quilts for her children and other family members. In 1983, Clayton and Berniece moved into town. She had a wonderful sense of humor and always had a ready “saying or quip” for any occasion.
Bernice is survived by her husband, Clayton Beckler, Seward; children and spouses, Janet and Anthony “Chip” Foderaro, Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, Iris and Albert Driver, Lederach, Pennsylvania, David and Leisa Beckler, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sara and Lon Hansen, Souderton, Pennsylvania, Michael and Kathy Beckler, Harrisonburg, Virgina, and Carl and Karen Beckler, Middle Granville, New York; 15 grandchildren and spouses, Grant Beckler, Garett and Amy Beckler, Kevin Driver, Andrew Foderaro and fiance Stephanie Catanese, Annette and Chad Forry, Melissa and Keith King, Laurelyn Foderaro, Scott and April Beckler, Jordan and Kimberly Beckler, Jocelyn Beckler, Joshua Beckler, Bryant Beckler, Isaac Beckler, Benjamin Beckler and Rachel Hansen; four great-grandchildren, Clayton Forry, Anna Forry, Alyse King and Jada Beckler; sisters and brothers-in-law, Grace and Dale Grieser, West Point, Eunice and Marvin Oswald, Allen, and Vada and Kenneth Roth, Dorchester; sister-in-law, Anna Mae Roth and brother-in-law, Richard Miller, both of Milford; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Chris and Mary Roth; an infant son, Russell; granddaughters, Andrea Driver and Jacquelyn Beckler; brother, Earl Roth; sister, Shirley Miller; and parents-in-law, Edward and Fannie Beckler.
A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, at East Fairview Mennonite Church in rural Milford, with Pastor Kyle Roth officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were grandsons, Grant, Garett, Joshua, Isaac and Benjamin Beckler, Andrew Foderaro and Kevin Driver. Honorary pallbearers were her sons, David, Michael and Carl. Joshua Beckler, pianist, played for the prelude and postlude. Annette Forry and Melissa King played the strings and Michael Beckler, chorister, led the congregation as they sang “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “How Great Thou Art.” “In the Sweet Bye and Bye” was sung at the graveside. Memorials have been established to East Fairview Mennonite Church,or to Pathways to Compassion Hospice, 1401 Infinity Road, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68512.
