Bernice Olive Schwenke

Bernice was born on December 12, 1926 to William Alfred Dietzler and Maude Schoonover in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, the youngest girl of thirteen children. She was industrious and self-supporting, sewing all of her own dresses and modeling. After Bernice graduated from high school, she pursued an associate’s degree in accounting.

With her beautiful voice, she sang in church choir, where she met her husband, Harry M. Schwenke. They were married for 55 years until his death. After Harry graduated from University of North Dakota, they moved to South Florida, where they became permanent residents of South Florida in 1957. Bernice and Harry went on to have 2 children, James and Sherri.

Bernice was a devoted wife and mother. She had great enthusiasm for the arts and culture of the community of Fort Lauderdale. She volunteered her time, her energy, and her passion to several organizations, including the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Gold Coast Jazz, Hot Jazz and Gumbo Society, the Opera Guild, the Philharmonic, Broward General Hospital, Chris Evert Children's Hospital, the Humane Society, and the First Presbyterian Church, where she was instrumental in success of “The Cottage”. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the American Revolution.

After the passing of her husband, she moved to John Knox Village where she continued to volunteer. She joined the Rotary Club where she was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Everywhere she went, she made many friends who describe her as sweet, kind, loyal, visionary, fun loving and very generous.

Bernice was predeceased by her husband, Harry. She is survived by her son, James and his children, Dakota, Kaya, and Neila; and her daughter Sherri (Russ), and her children Theodore and Harry. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in the near future. Per her wishes, Bernice chose to be cremated and her ashes will be spread with her husband’s on the farm in North Dakota where they spent many joyful times together in courtship. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any of the groups she supported.