Berniece Catherine Heier, Grainfield
Berniece Catherine (Kinderknecht) Heier, age 90, passed away on July
31, 2022 at her Grainfield, Kansas home. She was born Feb. 23, 1932
in Menlo to Joseph and Philomena (Hertel) Kinderknecht. She
married Alfred Heier on Aug. 5, 1952 and unto this union seven children
were born. Most of her life was spent on the farm raising their
children and being a supportive farmer’s wife.
Alfred and
Berniece were active members of the Kansas chapter “Po.L.K. of A” and
traveled to many dances throughout the area. Their Polka influence
carried through their family as they taught their children and
grandchildren the dances and played Polka at every gathering. They were
also lifelong members of the local American Legion and VFW. Once
Alfred passed, Berniece moved to Grainfield and carried on these
traditions with her friends and family through volunteering at the
American Legion “Stag and Stagette” dinners and attending American
Legion Ladies Auxiliary meetings and events.
Berniece further
contributed to the community through her service to the church via the
Altar Society and the St. Agnes Ladies. Berniece was a woman of strong
Catholic faith and showed that to the very end of her life. Even
shortly after her passing, one of her great-granddaughters commented on
how much “Grandma really loved Jesus.” Her faith shaped and enriched
her life, and she led by example with her devotion.
Her
contributions to the community were noticed through her involvement and
further supported via her hobby of quilt making as she donated some of
her handiwork to various fundraisers. She enjoyed constructing
different quilt designs through various patterns of quilt blocks,
material, and embroidery, and she shared her passion with family and
friends by revealing her latest finished design and teaching others the
art of quilt making. In addition to the family memories of her quilt
making hobby, many remember her homemade bierocks as a family favorite
as well as her delicious Christmas time rosettes, German potato salad,
barbecue meatballs, coconut cream pie, and cinnamon bread. Berniece’s
influence along with her cooking and sewing skills created many
memories.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and
Philomena Kinderknecht, her loving husband, Alfred, one son, Alan, two
infant daughters: Kay Ann and Catherine Marie, her grandson, Brandon
Heier. Also preceding were her brother, Emanuel (Marilyn) Kinderknecht,
and sisters: Angeline (Robert) Kaiser, Alberta (John) Wolf, Olinda
(Douglas) Zeigler, and Caroline Kaiser.
She will be greatly
missed by her surviving children and families including her four sons: David, Ron (Patti), Mel (Catherine), and Larry (Marilyn), her sister
Dorothy (Don) Schroeder, her brother-in-law Frank Kaiser, 11
grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many others.
Services
are to be at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Grinnell. Visitation: Friday, August 5, 2022 from 5 to 8 p.m., with Rosary/vigil at 8 p.m. Funeral Mass on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 10
a.m. with Fr. James Thomas officiating. Burial to follow at the Church
Cemetery with Honor Guard by the Wheatland VFW Auxiliary #2864.
Memorials
may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church in Grinnell or St.
Agnes Catholic Church in Grainfield, or for masses and may be sent in
care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748.
Sign the online guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com
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