Berniece Smith

BERNIECE SMITH

Manchester

Berniece Smith, 96, of Manchester, died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manchester, and one hour before the service at the Gospel Hall on Wednesday. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Gospel Hall in Manchester. Burial: Oakland Cemetery, Manchester.

Berniece was born April 3, 1921, in rural Butler County, Iowa, the daughter of Alrich and Minnie (Garrels) Groothuis. On Jan. 21, 1942, Berniece married Dewayne Smith at her parents' home in Kesley, Iowa. The couple farmed before moving to Manchester in 1947. Berniece was a wonderful baker, providing goods to local restaurants. She enjoyed gardening and often sold the overabundance of produce in front of her home. She will be remembered for her beautiful flower gardening. Berniece cared for her family and others, becoming "Grandma" to the children she tended.

She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Berniece is survived by her daughter, Carla Jasperson of Barrie, Ontario, Canada; a daughter-in-law, Dana (Adrian) Brudos of Madison, Wis.; grandchildren, Kimberly (Scott) Downs, Debb MaGee and Mary (Jerry) Olson; great-grandchildren, Reece and Stephen Downs, Marissa, Nicholas, Daris, Anna, Peter, Andrew, Ruth and Joseph Olson; and honorary grandchildren, Torrey and Ryne Foster and Grant Jenkins.

Berniece was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dewayne; a son, Lowell Smith; brothers and their wives, John (Letha) Groothuis, Fred (Frieda) Groothuis, and Herman (Helen) Groothuis; and honorary grandchild, Aaron Foster.

Please share a memory of Berniece at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.