Bernice Faber

Bernice Faber, age 88, of Orange City, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at the Orange City Area Health System Hospital in Orange City.

Bernice Arlene was born September 23, 1925, on a farm near Granville, the daughter of Andrew and Minnie (Mouw) Plender. She was raised on that farm, where she attended the country school through the eighth grade.

On September 15, 1967, she married Raymond William Faber in Orange City, where they made their home. They were members of the First Reformed Church, where she belonged to the women's circles and the kitchen design team and was the chairwoman of the women's service groups. Ray passed away on December 29, 1993, in Rochester, Minnesota.

For twelve years each, Bernice was the owner of the Pantry Café and the manager of the cafeteria at K-Products, both in Orange City. She also enjoyed baking for her family and playing cards in a number of clubs.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Twyla and Bennet Vaas, of Orange City; Lynn and Dan Grooters, of Johnston; Bruce Smit of Le Mars; and Lea and Chuck Knowles, of Sioux City; fourteen grandchildren and their spouses, Don and Michelle Vaas, Shannon and Craig Beaty, Nathan and Tanya Vaas, Rochelle and Aric Postma, Daneal and Matt Johnson, Alyssa and Blaine Lewman, Lindsey and Matt Estill, Chad and Amy Smit, Sara Smit, Jill and Jeff Bahrenfuss, Jenni and Ryan Toomer, Alexis (Lexi) Smit, Tim and Laura Knowles, and Tracy and Scott Williams; 31 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Vander Maaten; and a sister-in-law, Arta Plender.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters and their spouses, Henry and Margaret De Haan, Frank and Mina Muilenburg, Joe and Arabella Kleinhesselink, Bill and Henrietta Ter Horst, Arie and Matilda Bloemendaal, Henry Plender, John and Elizabeth Plender, and Frank Vander Maaten.

Obituary & Photo is from The Oolman Funeral Home