Bernice Emma Dorthea (Lawrenz) Diekmann, was born at her home near Herington, Kansas, November 7, 1914 to Karl L. and Olga Pauline Caroline (Ohm) Lawrenz. She passed away peacefully at Herington Municipal Hospital on December 3, 2020 with family and friends by her side.
Bernice attended a few schools, starting out at a one room school house which is now the Post Office in Lost Springs. She went to a Lutheran Parochial School inside the church in Latimer, and attended and graduated high school in Woodbine. In order to be able to attend and finish high school, she lived with a family and worked for room and board by cooking, cleaning, and helping with their children. Bernice lived on a farm, she had 4 brothers: Harry, Elmer, Charles (who only lived a couple days), LeRoy (Buddy) and 1 sister Rosetta. Bernice married Alvin Henry David Diekmann on December 19, 1935 at Junction City. They had a daughter that was stillborn and one son she lovingly called Bobby.
She belonged to the Missouri Synod Zion Lutheran Church of Latimer. She was a faithful member and attended church every Sunday and was a member of the Ladies Aide.
Bernice’s favorite memory was going to her grandparents’ house on Sundays. She carried on the tradition by hosting the get-togethers and serving lunch after church every Sunday, until she was 95 years old.
Bernice always lived on a farm until Alvin retired from farming in 1987. They then moved to Latimer and she lived there until 2010 when she fell and broke her hip and had to move into the assisted living in Herington. In March of this year, with the arising of COVID-19 and Bernice having some health issues, she moved in with her granddaughter Patty and her husband Mark. Bernice’s daughter-in-law, Faye also moved into the Carson home to help Patty with her care. Bernice was able to spend the last 8 months of her life with things she loved such as being on a farm, with a garden, her favorite home-cooked meals, pie on Sundays, and surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, a stillborn daughter in 1937, which at the time; they were not allowed to give their baby girl a name. Her husband Alvin passed away on October 14, 1988.
Bernice leaves behind a son Bob Diekmann and his wife Faye of Latimer, KS. She also leaves her only granddaughter Patty and her husband Mark Carson of Wilsey, KS. Bernice has 3 great grandchildren: Dustin (Kaylee) Carson, Lori Carson, and Samantha Horton; and 4 great great grandchildren Emma, Hayden, Haddie Jo, and Mackenzie. She also leaves behind her sister Rosetta, sisters-in-law Emma Lawrenz and Velda Lawrenz; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In recent years, her granddaughter Patty has been sharing her journey on social media #MakingMemoriesWithGrandma, where she acquired quite a following of people whom have fallen in love with her. She became known as “Everybody’s Grandma”. On November 15 of this year, she was a featured story of a ‘106 Year Old’ on WIBW TV https://www.wibw.com/2020/11/16/wilsey-resident-continues-making-memories-in-her-106th-year/ . This was a highlight of memories for her as well. She is leaving a legacy of memories of hope and inspiration to many.
A graveside service, celebrating Bernice’s life, will be held at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 11:00 am, with Pastor King Crawford officiating. Masks and social distancing required.
Memorials may be made to either of her favorite organizations, Zion Ladies Aide of Latimer, KS or Herington Municipal Hospital, Herington, KS sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.