Bernice L. Kari
Mass of Christian Burial for Bernice L. Kari, age 74, of Bison, South Dakota, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Bison, SD with Fr. Tony Grossenburg and Fr. Arnold Kari officiating. Burial will be in Bison, SD.
Bernice Lorraine Hieb was born on July 28, 1941, in Mobridge, SD, to John and Hilda (Dikoff) Hieb. She attended grade school in Firesteel, SD. As the eldest child of fourteen she took pride in helping her mother with the household chores and caring for her younger siblings. She loved to reminisce about growing up in a large family and all the mischief her siblings would get into. She graduated from Timber Lake High School in 1960. On August 20, 1960, Bernice was united in marriage to Mark Kari.
To this union four children were born, Linda Lee, Mark John, David Peter and Daniel Mark.
Mark and Bernice raised their family on the Kari ranch where Bernice kept busy helping Mark with the ranching operation; gardening, canning, baking, quilting and staying involved in various organizations and church activities. Bernice was a woman of dedication and faith. Her devotion to her husband, children, grandchildren and the Lord was unwavering. She was willing to drop everything at a moment’s notice to attend to family and church needs. In the fall of 1997, Bernice and Mark retired from ranching, and moved to Bison.
Bernice stayed very active in the Bison community up until her final days. She enjoyed being a member of the Moreau River Club, Town and Country Club, Bison Senior Citizen Center, Perkins County Fair Board, Bison Ambulance crew and the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She especially enjoyed her many years volunteering as a CCD teacher. The children she taught throughout the years at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church held a very special place in her heart.
Bernice passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her two sons, Dan (Marcie)Kari and David Kari, all of Bison, SD; one daughter, Linda Fall, Tama, IA; four grandchildren, Jennifer Fall, Sharla Fall, Tyler and Jenna Kari; two great-grandchildren, Brad and Grant Herrera; six brothers, Edward (Florence) Hieb, Gillette, WY, Willard (Nellie) Hieb, Newcastle, WY, Eugene (Bonnie) Hieb, Great Falls, MT, Johnny (Sonja) Hieb, Sundance, WY, Darrel (Connie) Hieb, Newcastle, WY, Donnie (Gueme) Hieb, Gillette, WY; one sister, Virginia (Mark) Kober, Sheridan, WY; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Mark John; her husband, Mark; and her siblings, Robert, Gary, Wayne Hieb, Wilma Van Cleave, Alice Mulner, and Nancy Hieb.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a rosary/vigil service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Bison.
A memorial has been established.