Bernice Anna Stelljes

Bernice Anna Erikson Stelljes, of Lee’s Summit, MO, formerly of Washington, KS, died Friday, January 4, 2008, at the age of 92. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 7, 2008, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington, KS. Pastor Craig Otto officiated. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Scott Stelljes, Tim Stelljes, Steve Squire, Marc Paulson, John Pape, and Larry Pape. Bernice was born June 8, 1915, near Morrowville, KS, the daughter of William and Matilda (Holmquist) Erikson. She was baptized into the Christian faith on April 3, 1936 and confirmed April 5, 1936, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in Linn, KS. On May 7, 1937, she married Herman Stelljes in St. Paul’s parsonage, in Palmer, KS. The Rev. H.A. Kolm officiating. This union was blessed with two sons, Gayle and Allen. Bernice was employed in Omaha, NE, for 19 years and then retired to live in Kansas City with her son Allen and his family. After her health failed in the spring of 2000, she moved to the Wilshire Nursing Home, in Lee’s Summit, MO. Bernice was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church. She transferred her membership to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, when her family moved to Lake Winnebago, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herman on December 6, 1960; son Gayle on July 19, 2003; four brothers: Lloyd, Roy, Carl, and Vernon; and five sisters: Bertha, Helen, Gertrude, Ellen, and Mary. Survivors include one son, Allen and his wife Marilyn of Lake Winnebago, MO, five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and contributions will benefit: Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., Central Region, 14150 W. 113th. St., Shawnee Mission, KS 66215 Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernice Anna Stelljes, please visit our flower store.