Bernice was born Nov. 22, 1915, in Prescott, Iowa. At the age of 12, she moved with her family to Idaho. As a young wife and mother, she moved to Portland, Ore., and assisted in the war effort as a welder in the shipyards. After the war, the family returned to Idaho where they took up farming in the Magic Valley area. Throughout her life, she had an extremely strong work ethic and, after leaving the farm, she worked in the school district lunch program and later for the local Twin Falls potato plant, where she advanced to a lab technician. She retired from the plant at the age of 72 but still kept working part time. Bernice enjoyed traveling the United States and Europe. She loved meeting people and no one was a stranger. Bernice loved to garden and was an excellent cook, with pies being her specialty. She loved her family and enjoyed nothing better than having large family reunions and preparing yummy meals for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bernice was preceded in death by her son, Gale Hawkins; and is survived by her sons, Bob Fann and Wayne Hawkins (wife Jeannine); her daughter, Betty Hawkins; Gale’s wife, Denise Hawkins; her sister, Joy Craggs; five grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at noon Monday, Feb. 4, at White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park,” with Pastor Dale Metzger officiating and under the direction of Lance Cox and staff. A viewing will be held an hour prior and burial will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Park.
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