Bernice French

Bernice Darlene French, age 89, headed to heaven on Easter Sunday, April 20th 2025. She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, aunt, and friend, born on February 22, 1936, to Carl and Lelia Wiley. Bernice's first steps were taken on a farm near Greeley.

Her education started at Sugar Valley School and later transferred to Rosedale School in 1945 when the family moved to a new farm located west of Garnett. It was there that Bernice's love of animals flourished; Rosa the 500-pound pig, Flowers the skunk, Freckles the cow, and a multitude of others. After graduating from Garnett High in 1954, Bernice attended Clark's Business College in Topeka where she lived with a dozen girlfriends at what they called, "The Penny Pinchers Apartments." It was during this time her heart was stolen by Wayne French on a blind date at BoBo's. They were married on December 2, 1956, at Mont Ida Church. Topeka became their home with Bernice working for Caper's Weekly Newspaper. In 1960, the French family made the decision to move back to Bernice's childhood home near Garnett. Wayne and Bernice partnered with Don and Judy on what they called, "Fair Acres Farm." Outside of farm life, Bernice worked for the Anderson County Hospital in the administration office. Later she drove a bus while working at PJ in between routes. In 1979 she and Wayne took on the title of School Bus Managers for 20 years.

Bernice was a woman with many passions. She loved life on the farm; driving the equipment, raising the chickens, feeding the catfish, manning the rabbits' powder puff parlor, milking the cows, slopping pigs, and caring for the many cats and dogs.

You also found her doing her part as a 4-H leader, member of the TOPS club. With her embroidery sewing machine she created quilts that she proudly gave to children and grandchildren.

But her true passion was for God and her Mont Ida church. Bernice was one of God's best disciples as a Sunday School teacher, Children's Church coordinator, VBS volunteer, float designer, piano player, and pie baker.

Yet her family never doubted her love for them being there for each stage of life; thank you mom for being our teacher, cheerleader, counselor, role model, and friend.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, her parents, Carl and Lelia Wiley, and her brother Don and Judy Wiley. To cherish her loving memory, she leaves three children: Tammie and Terry Henry, Gary and Janet French, and Cheryl and John Strobel. She will be forever remembered by her four grandsons; Jacob and Amy Strobel, Joe and Anne Strobel, Dalton and Sarah Henry, Taylor and Lauren French and five granddaughters; Kyra and Josh Elliott, Courtney Henry and Jason Coonrod, Jessica and Sam Carey, Lauren and Ty Lewis, Allie Henry and Micheal Carson. Eighteen children were blessed to call her great grandma. Bernice's memory will also be held dear by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Mont Ida Church of the Brethren in Mont Ida, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Bernice's family will greet friends from 6:00PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett.

Memorial contributions may be made to Parkview Heights, Good Shepherd Hospice or Mont Ida Church of the Brethren and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com