Berniece M. Wieters

Berniece Malinda Wieters, 93, Hanover, Kan., passed away Friday evening, April 24, 2020, at Hanover Long Term Care, a place she grew to love and had called home since August 2011. She was born Feb. 10, 1927, the daughter of Albert and Nettie (Behrens) Knabe. She was baptized into the Christian faith on Feb. 20, 1927, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bremen, by the Rev. John V. Kauffeld. Her sponsors were Mary Knabe and Dora Behrens. She was confirmed in that faith on April 6, 1941, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church by the Rev. O.A. Bohnert.

On Feb. 8, 1948, Berniece married Richard Wieters. The ceremony was performed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church by the Rev. Paul Ludwig. They were blessed with three children, Ronald, Barbara and Randy.

Berniece’s life was made richer by the people she called friends, which included everyone she met. Her zest for life and her hard work ethic began in the farm fields, where she was her husband’s right hand, juggling bags of seed and bailing twine with transporting hot meals and iced tea in mason jars to the field. They also felt privileged to help their dear friends, the Lottmans, at Bud and Virginia’s Café and Tavern in Diller. Their farming legacy and love would end too soon when a heart attack took him to his eternal home on April 9, 1986, at the age of 64.

In time, she established a special friendship with longtime family friend Gene Stanosheck. They enjoyed each other’s visits, meals at Tiger’s Den, and traveling with friends.

Keeping busy was her passion. She spoke fondly of the adventures with her friend Sharon at Lottman’s Fruity Hill, and helping alongside friends at Ervin Dixon’s shop, Cedar Creek Pottery. She enjoyed serving customers at the Corner Bar. She also took on cleaning jobs, including the State Bank of Odell, where she found a common bond with employees as diehard Husker football fans. She was a 65-year member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 231, where she held numerous offices, both on the local and county level. She added political events and campaigns to her activities, making trips to Washington, D.C., and campaigning locally as the staunch Democrat she remained throughout her lifetime. She considered voting a privilege, and continued voting absentee ballot from her long term care room. She was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lanham, and the Ladies Aid.

Her claim to fame was her family. Her brood of three would marry and bring seven grandchildren for her to love and spoil. Over the years, great-grandchildren also learned to know the love of a woman who would give them their hearts’ desire. She enjoyed their many sporting events that spanned contests in both Nebraska and Kansas. When she moved to Hanover Long Term Care, she adopted a new family in her caregivers. From her favorite chair in the corner of a room filled to the brim with Husker memorabilia, she would sit and sign cards to send to family and friends far and wide. The pandemic brought on a new form of isolation, but her pen became even busier as she sent out note cards, jokes, and pictures she had colored.

Mourning her loss and celebrating her life are her children, Ron (Mary) Wieters of Odell, Neb., Barb (Robert) Lohse of Hanover, Kan., Randy (Janet) Wieters of Emporia, Kan.; seven grandchildren, Kim (Angel) Lohse, Kurt (Kelli) Lohse, Kristie (Spencer) Sutton, Tiffany (Steve) Jueneman, Tracie (Trevor) Hasenkamp, Scott Wieters, Kelly (Mark) Cross,  great-grandchildren, Schuyler (Kirby Staroscik), Shane and Kaden Sutton, Maddox, Taelynne and Meelah Hasenkamp, Trey, Tianna and Tessa Lohse, Kirah Lohse, Jacob, Noah, Anna, Braden and Carter Jueneman, Carlos, Cohen and Casen Cross; sister-in-law, Velora Wieters of Odell; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; 2 grandchildren, Eric and Jenifer Wieters; great-grandsons, Alex and Aaron Jueneman; brothers and sister-in-law, Lawrence Knabe, Ervin and Elaine Knabe; sisters and brother-in-law, Lula Ann Knabe, Verna and DeVere Riekenberg; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harold Wieters, Arlin and Helen Holle; special friend, Gene Stanosheck.

Services will be Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 2:00 at St. John's Lutheran Church - Lanham, KS.