A visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday, May 16, 2010 from 6-8 pm at Accent Funeral Home, 1303 N. Main Street, Meridian.  A celebration of Bernice’s life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2010 at the Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, 150 W. Maestra, Street, Meridian.  Burial will follow at the Meridian Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.accentfuneral.com

The only daughter of Hannah and George Stang, Bernice was born on her family’s dairy farm in Meridian, Idaho on Sept.7, 1925.  She is survived by her brother, Everett Stang of Usk, Washington, 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and Tiny Cat.  Her children are son, Art Johnson of Williamsburg, Iowa; daughter, Karen Littau of Newberg, Oregon; son, Calvin Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and daughter Carolyn Groat of Touchet, Washington. 

Bernice lived on the farm all her youth and attended Meridian High School, graduating in 1943 as class valedictorian.  She enjoyed orchestra in high school which was sparked by violin lessons since age 11.  After graduation, she married Ray Johnson in June 1943.  That fall, Bernice continued her education at the College of Idaho where she received a teaching certificate and taught in Homedale while Ray served in the Army during WII.

Ray returned in early 1946 and the couple started their family with a son arriving in November 1946.  In 1955 they bought the Stang farm and established a registered Jersey dairy herd that at its peak numbered around 100 head.  They sold milk to the Ada County Dairymen’s Association.

As a member of the Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene most of her life, she took her children to church to help teach them the importance of having Christ in their life.  She was involved on the prayer chain, assisted in Vacation Bible School and provided her famous dinner rolls for the benevolence committee.  During spring and summer, Bernice followed her mother’s tradition of bringing beautiful flowers from her garden for church services.

Bernice was a long time member of the Idaho Gladiola Society, the Boise Chrysanthemum Society and the Idaho Botanical Gardens.  Her expertise in floral design was recognized at many gladiola shows, conventions and fairs that she entered.  She was also a member of the Treasure Valley Dairy Wives enjoying their friendships.

Her passion for gardening included vegetables that had friends and strangers taking away fresh produce, bouquets or plant starts, (in season), or home baked goodies (out of season).  Giving to others is her legacy, she felt that’s “just the way it should be.”  She always said she grew her flowers to share and did so just to see the joy it brought others.

She volunteered at the Eagle Senior Center, co-leading an exercise group and providing flowers for special events.  She liked the fellowship of her fellow seniors, missing them dearly when her illness prevented her from participating.

Bernice devoutly prayed for her friends and family in all their endeavors, visiting them when able.  She thoroughly enjoyed her travels to places as far away as Chile, Hawaii, Florida, and Argentina, as well as weekend treks to local landmarks and museums.

She enjoyed the lives of her seven grandchildren, having a personal goal for them to all graduate from high school which will be realized this spring.  Bernice was and continues to be an inspiration to them all, enjoying her sense of humor, her direct spirit and mostly just being “Grandma.”

Thank you friends and neighbors for your superb companionship and prayers.  Also for helping Bernice with pruning, lawn mowing, irrigating, tending animals while she was traveling, transportation, transplanting flowers, harvesting fruit, picking berries, removing snow, garden tilling, car repairs, leaf racking, acorn removing, house cleaning, and many other acts of kindness.  The high level of medical and home care is greatly appreciated.

Bernice’s beautiful flowers reflected her spirit of giving and love that came from her source - Jesus.

Condolences