Bernice H. Rettele

Bernice H. Rettele, 83, of Centralia, died Saturday evening, May 26, 2007 at Stormont Vail hospital in Topeka, after a brief illness.
     She was born east of St. Benedict on May 3, 1924 the daughter of Bernard J. and Pauline Runnebaum Osterhaus. Bernice graduated 8th grade from the Rock School, attended the Seneca Public School for two years, she then began helping area families in their homes. She also worked for Paramount Cleaners in Seneca for three years. Bernice was a dedicated employee to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital working in the laundry department for 25 years.
      On May 6, 1946, she married Anthony A. “Bucky” Rettele at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed northeast of Kelly for two years and then moved to the farm where they spent their lives, three miles east of Centralia. The couple had one son, Robert. After 46 years of marriage, her husband preceded her in death on December 11, 1992. Bernice continued to live on the farm with her son until August of 2005 when she moved to Crestview Manor’s residential living.
     Bernice was a member of St. Bede’s Catholic Church and a member of St. Ann's Altar Society at the church in Kelly.
     Bernice was a private individual who treasured her son. She had many hobbies and enjoyed a good card game; she was very talented at embroidering and crocheting. She made many embroidered sets of hand towels, which she donated to the church and gave to family and friends. She also made ceramics. Bernice loved to be busy either working in her garden, transplanting and starting her beautiful African violets, or making quilts entirely from hand. She had just completed her last quilt this April.
     Bernice is survived by her son Robert “Bob” of Centralia. She is also survived by her brother Gilbert Osterhaus of Seneca, and her three sisters, Lucille Winkler and Edna Love, both of Seneca, and Edith Kongs of Wetmore.
     Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother Leonard.
     The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 A.M. Wednesday, May 30, at St. Bede's Church in Kelly. The burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca at 2 and 7 PM on Tuesday.
     Memorial contributions can be made for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital or St Bede’s Church, and sent in care of the family.