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Bernice Arndt

December 15, 1932 - July 26, 2014
Mattawan, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, July 30, 2014
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870
Driving Directions

Service

Thursday, July 31, 2014
11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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All who knew Bernice Arndt would agree that she had a heart that knew no bounds. Whether she was nurturing her own family, sharing the meal she made with an extra person at her table, or opening her home to a coworker in need of a place to stay, she was abundantly blessed with the gift of hospitality. Bernice was married to the love of her life for several decades, and together they witnessed their family tree blossom to include the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who made her so very proud. Although she will be deeply missed, the timeless legacy that Bernice leaves behind will be proudly carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

Life during the 1930s was anything but easy as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. The crash of the stock market in October of 1929 ushered in these trying years, and with fewer jobs and a soaring unemployment rate people were left to do whatever they could to make ends meet. Amidst this trying time was the year 1932 that was filled with great joy for a young couple from Hartford, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter on December 15th. Bernice Lorraine was the second of eight children born to her parents, Thurman and Olga (Lamp) Warren, and she was raised in the family home alongside three brothers and four sisters. The Warren family frequently moved around throughout Southwest Michigan while Bernice was growing up.

It was while growing up that Bernice developed her nurturing and caring spirit, which would remain her constant companion throughout her life. As one of the older children in her family she played a vital role in helping raise her younger brothers and sisters. Bernice attended local schools, but she left school before graduating to care for her mother who had become ill with toxemia.

Life was forever changed for Bernice when she met the young man of her dreams. They met in a rather unusual way since he came over to the Warren family home to take her older sister, Frieda, on a date. The young suitor was Marion Arndt, and upon his arrival he couldn’t help but notice Bernice who was out sunbathing. He was smitten right from the start and hoped that Bernice was in fact Frieda. Although the bathing beauty was the wrong sister, since Frieda wasn’t home it was Marion and Bernice who went out on a date. The rest is history as they say. After dating for a time, the sweethearts were married on December 3, 1949.

The newlyweds soon purchased 64 acres in Mattawan. They harvested the wood off the land to build their house, and Bernice was right there building alongside her husband. This was the house that provided the backdrop for countless memories, and it was also the house that Bernice called home for the rest of her life. They later cleared land to create an outdoor setting where several reunions, picnics, and weddings took place.

In addition to her work at home, Bernice spent 45 years working full-time at Welch’s in Lawton. She was a union steward who wasn’t afraid to stand up to management as a protector of her union brothers and sisters. Bernice was truly a champion of women’s rights both in and out of the work place as she was an outspoken supporter of women empowering themselves, consistently encouraging other women to be more assertive in their lives.

Although she worked outside of the home full-time, Bernice was never short on discipline as her children have said that she ruled the roost with both a hand of steel and a heart of gold. She saw everything as either black or white, and her children all knew where they stood with her. Bernice instilled within her children invaluable lessons such as the importance of telling the truth, being respectful, and having a strong work ethic. She had an open door policy where all were welcome as there was often a cousin, a coworker, or one of her children’s friends staying there for a time when they were in need of a temporary place to stay. Of course Bernice wasn’t afraid to hold her houseguests accountable to following the house rules! Sundays found a feast on her table spread with numerous dishes with roast beef and noodles being among her family’s favorites. There was always room for one more at Bernice’s table as well. Christmas was one of Bernice’s favorite times of year, and she always went above and beyond to make it special for her children and later her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In everything Bernice did, being with her loved ones only made everything better. She liked being at home, especially when her family was there, but she also enjoyed visiting with family out and about. As her children grew older and formed families of their own, Bernice was as amazing as a mother-in-law as she was at being a mother. When grandchildren arrived they were a major part of Bernice’s life as she loved just being with them no matter what she was doing. She set an amazing example for her daughters and daughter-in-law as she was gracious, compassionate, and selfless in every way.

In 2013, life became more difficult for Bernice and her loved ones when she was diagnosed with cancer. A courageous woman, she fought bravely throughout her illness with a quiet strength that is to be admired.

Gracious, humble, and compassionate, Bernice Arndt was a woman who was truly beautiful on the inside and out. One never needed to wonder where they stood with her whether family member, union member, or stranger as she didn’t shy away from speaking her mind. Always on the go, being among family was Bernice’s favorite place to be, and her wedding day was among the days she cherished most. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were within her reach.

Bernice L Arndt, of Mattawan, died on Saturday, July 26, 2014. Bernice’s family includes her 4 children: Linda (Dave) Kotecki, Jeannie (Chuck) Hamlin, Carol Arndt, and David (Heidi) Arndt; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Freda (John) Menear, Janice Warren; 2 brothers: George (Lou) Warren, Ed and Carrie Smith. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Marion, 2 sisters and a brother. Learn more about Bernice and visit with her family and friends on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson - Paw Paw; 60900 M-40 Hwy (657-3870), where funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Please visit Bernice’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her guestbook online before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.

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