Berniece (Pals) PALS SUNTKEN

PALS, SUNTKEN, PIEL, JANSSEN, ANKENY, SCHLICHTING, KOENEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/6/2014 at 22:46:39

December 17, 1922 --- June 3, 2014

BELMOND, IA -- Berniece Suntken, age 91, of Belmond, most recently a resident of the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, died Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond with her loving family at her side. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2014, at First Reformed Church, Meservey. The Rev. Rodney Meester will be officiating. Burial will be in the Meservey Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to the services at church on Saturday.

Bernice Pals, the daughter of Herman and Dena (Piel) Pals, was born Dec. 17, 1922, at Alexander. She attended rural country schools. Berniece was united in marriage to Clarence Pals on Feb. 27, 1941, at the First Reformed Church parsonage in Meservey. This union was blessed with five precious children including: Derald, Cheryl, Arlin, Randy, and Marcus. Berniece and Clarence took great pride in farming and raising their children together. Berniece was a hardworking partner in the farming operations and strived tirelessly to provide for the necessities and wishes of her family. She was a very nurturing mother and devoted wife to Clarence. She would always put the needs her family and others before those of her own, seeing to it that they had whatever they needed. Berniece had terrific culinary skills in the kitchen. She did tremendous a amount of canning and baking. Her family reflects fondly on the tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchen. They and others always looked forward to her famous mouth-watering home made chocolate cream filled cupcakes and her one of a kind pies, especially one of her famous Pear pies with her one and only "Berniece made" pie crusts. Her pie crusts alone often created a little bantor as the kids would devour them as a special treat whether they were cooked or still in dough form. Her special pie recipe has been continued in the next generations of her grandchildren, where they have been awarded special recognition at the State Fair.

Her family loved to eat her delectable cookies and of course washing them and her other treats down with a spot of tea which always brought times for Clarence and her to catch up with one another and the kids on the news and happenings of the day. Berniece was a very meticulous and detail-oriented lady who shared her attention to perfection with others in making and decorating countless wedding cakes. Her family and others are fortunate to have many of her hand-crafted items to cherish as the carry her memory with them on their own life journeys. She also enjoyed making braided rugs and blue jean quilts. In earlier years of her life, Berniece enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. She also loved to attend auctions and go to garage sales in search of that "special item, gift, or clothing" for her family. She would spend great amounts of item and effort in search of those necessities and wants for her family. Berniece had a great mind and never missed a birth, anniversary, or other special date in the lives of her family.

Berniece was preceded in death by her husband Clarence. She later married Herman Suntken at the First Reformed Church Parsonage in Meservey on Jan. 9, 1987. The two of them brought together a wonderful blended family who all enjoyed the times and events that were created by this loving partnership that lasted for the next 27 years prior to Berniece's passing. Berniece and Herman enjoyed many years together in their home prior to Berniece entering the nursing home in November 2005. During her time in the care center Berniece looked forward to Herman's daily visits as he continued to look after her needs and care. She also cherished the countless visits of her children and grandchildren that she loved so dearly.

As her family and friends cherish the memories of Berniece's legacy they will remember her as an energetic lady filled with boundless love for others. She was a devoted wife and life partner to both of her husbands, nurturing mother and provider to her children, and doting grandma to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. All who had the privilege of crossing her life path will recall her gentle demeanor, warm and welcoming personality, and her wonderful smile and that special twinkle in her eyes.

Berniece is survived by her son, Derald (Janet) Pals, Belmond; daughter, Cheryl Janssen, Belmond; son, Arlin (Sandee) Pals, Mason City; and son, Randy (Vickie) Ankeny; her husband, Herman Suntken, Belmond; one brother, Robert D. Pals, Alexander; and one sister-in-law, Lois (Jesse) Schlichting, Pocahontas. 13 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. On her husband Herman's side she is also survived by 9 step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Dena (Piel) Pals; her son, Marcus Pals in 1973; husband, Clarence Pals; brother Glen (Alice) Pals; and a sister, Irene (Virgil) Koenen. Andrews Funeral home, Belmond.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
June 6, 2014