Bernice Curnes Osceola

Bernice Marie Chandler Curnes passed from this life on June 14, 2015 at Clarke Co. Hospital Extended Care where she resided after March 30, 2015 when ill health forced her to give up her home where she had been self caring and independent up until that day.

She was born November 10, 1915 in Washington Township, Clarke Co. Iowa to Bert and Minnie Rebecca Schaffer Chandler. After graduation from Osceola High School with the class of 1933 she worked for the Agriculture Administration (AAA) as office assistant for Melvin Goeldner and Clarke Co. Farm Bureau.

After marriage to Raymond Jr. Curnes on May 12, 1940 at First Christian Church parsonage in Osceola she was a homemaker and a farm wife and helper.

She enjoyed gardening, flowers, all sorts of birds and animals and was completely devoted to her family. After Jr.’s passing she moved into an apartment in town where she continued with her gardening on a miniature scale with her “patch” of garden outside her apartment door. There in town she was always so glad to see all of her family and friends if they stopped by for five minutes or hours, especially happy when the great grandkids stopped there between school activities and waited for mom or dad to pick them up. In the last few months at her apartment she looked forward to her great-granddaughters stopping by with their lunches and visiting with her while they ate. She remained interested in everything going on around her and was enthusiastic about life even into her last days with us. She kept “daily doings” journals for 60+ years and they are treasured by her family.

She was a member of the First Christian Church, was baptized along with Jr., David and Doyle on March 23, 1958. She had been a member of the Clarke Co. Historical Society and had been a long time member of the Groveland Helpers Club, was a former member of the Osceola Women’s Club and played pinochle and pitch at the apartment complex. She was a volunteer at the gift shop at Clarke Co. Hospital and Sing Along at Osceola Leisure Manor.

She is survived by sons David (Connie) and Doyle (Patricia), grandchildren Terri (Mitch) Jones, Kelly (Jill) Curnes, great grandchildren Hanna (Tyler) Jeanes, Jack Jones, Molly (Kyle) Wilson, Mason and Marshall Curnes. She is also survived by niece Anita Chandler, great nephews Dan and Lee Chandler (Debbie Olsen) and several great, great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Raymond Jr. on January 30, 1980, granddaughter Brenda Renae Curnes in 2006, brother Glenn Chandler and sister-in-law Ruth, nephew Jack Chandler and mother-in-law and father-in-law Raymond M. and Grace Leeson Curnes.