Bernice Rose Johnson was born on September 5, 1931, in Missouri Valley, Iowa, to Marvin and Cecile (Hutchison) Johnson. (Funeral leaflet had Hazel Dell as birthplace, Birth Certificate indicates Bernice was born in Missouri Valley.) She was oldest of five children in a farming family living in the Hazel Dell Township during the depression years and as her father helped farm family farms. The family settled on a farm in Persia, Iowa eventually in the 1940's. She graduated Valedictorian from Persia High School in 1950 in Persia, Iowa. She moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and worked as a secretary before getting married. On December 13, 1953, Bernice married Ralph E. Baldauf at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs. She was an avid gardener of fruits and vegetables in the backyard and planted many flowers in the yard. She liked to cook and worked in the home while raising six kids. She worked as a teacher's aide in the Reading Services room and in the cafeteria during lunch at Oak Valley Elementary School when all of her kids were school-aged.

Bernice passed away peacefully with her family gathered on January 7, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, infant son George Marvin, great-granddaughter AnJaliquie Ruckman, brother Duane Johnson, sister Mildred Miller, brother-in-law Chester Baldauf, sisters-in-law Rosie Baldauf, and Mary Gilson.

Bernice is survived by daughters: Karen (Tom) Buntin of Moore, OK; Katie (John) Ruckman of Omaha, NE; Jan (Pete) Whittier of Myrtle Beach, SC; Donna (Bogart) Nomad of Elkhorn, NE; and sons Jim (Gina) Baldauf of Lenexa, KS and Steve (Julie) Baldauf of Omaha, NE; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law Bob Miller of Atlantic, IA, and Dwell Gilson of Council Bluffs, IA; sisters Mary (Keith) Peterson of Shelby, IA, and Eileen (Frank) Killpack of Neola, IA.

Bernice was active in her church bible studies, women's group, and Horizon club at Lutheran Church of the Master. She also provided food for funerals or other groups as needed at the church. She helped with girl scouts and boy scouts when her children were active.

Visitation: January 11th, 5-7pm, at Heafey-Hoffman-Dworak-Cutler 7805 W Center Rd Omaha
Funeral: January 12th, 10:30am, at Lutheran Church of the Master East Campus, 2617 S 114th St Omaha
Interment: 2pm at Garner Township Cemetery in Council Bluffs, IA.
Memorial contributions to Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands, Special Olympics Nebraska or Nebraska Spina Bifida Inc.

U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records
Name: Bernice Rose Johnsen
Baptism Age: 0
Record Type: Baptism
Birth Date: 1931
Baptism Date: 4 Oct 1931
Baptism Place: Neola, Iowa, USA
Father: Marvin C Johnson
Mother: Cecile Hutchinson
Church Name: St Paul
Church Location: Neola, Iowa