Bernice Iona Strope (Orchard)

Funeral Services for Bernice Iona Strope will be held Saturday April 21st at the Evangelical Free Church in Orchard with Burial in the Hope Enterprise Cemetery in rural Orchad.
Visitation will be fron 5-7 PM. on Friday at the Ashburn Funeral Home in Orchard.

Bernice Iona Barton Strope was promoted to her heavenly home on April 16, 2012. She has been residing at the Heritage of BelAire Nursing Home in Norfolk, Nebraska since 2007. Her life was a testimony of God’s grace as she underwent many physical trials in the past few years. Her faith never wavered and was evident to all who knew her.

Bernice was born to Leonard and Nora Barton on April 5, 1914 near Royal, Nebraska. When she was five years old, the family moved to a farm near Venus where she attended grade school. After graduating from Orchard High school, Bernice attended Wayne Normal College where she received a teaching certificate. She did substitute teaching in Royal Nebraska.

On February 27, 1935, Bernice was united in marriage to Charley Strope of Venus. Three children were born to this union – Donna, Roger and Dale.

In 1950, Charley and Bernice moved to a dairy farm in Orchard Nebraska where they lived for forty years. Bernice helped with the chores and took care of the produce from the large garden. Her love of flowers was evident to all by the prolific blooms that surrounded their home. Bernice was a wonderful cook and was always ready and willing to share a meal with anyone stopping by. Her gracious hospitality was known to many in the community and occasionally to a stranger passing by. The aroma of her homemade bread filled the house and her freezer was always stocked with “goodies” for the grandchildren.

Bernice and Charley were active members of the Gideon’s International. She was also an active member of the Venus Wesleyan church until it closed and more recently the Evangelical Free Church in Orchard.

Bernice was a good seamstress making much of her own clothing and enjoyed making quilts and crocheting afghans. When her eyesight failed in later years due to macular degeneration, she still maintained her home and learned to do things a bit differently. She was a loving caring wife and mother and enjoyed having her grandchildren visit whenever they could come. She will be remembered as a great blessing to all her family and friends from coast to coast.

Bernice was predeceased by her parents Leonard and Nora, sisters Violet Terrill and Teletha Strope, husband Charley and her daughter Donna Malena.

Bernice is survived by her son Roger Strope and wife Wanda of Gulf Shores, Alabama, son Dale Strope and wife Tonja of Preston, Connecticut, Son in Law Frank Malena of O’Neill, Nebraska. Grandchildren Kevin Strope and wife Jenny of Enid, Oklahoma, Kelly and husband Kelly Jo Eisaman of Texas, Kimberly and husband Richard Maldanado of Rockwell, Rockwell, Texas, Kristopher and wife Stephanie of Huntsville, Alabama. Joann Hancin and husband Brad of Waseca, Minnesota, Tricia Allard and husband Michael of Pawcatuck, Ct. Charissa Strope of Spokane Washington, Troy Strope of Preston, Ct. and many great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.