Bernice E. Reiber, age 91, has passed away peacefully at her home in Palouse, WA on Nov. 10, 2015. She was born 9-22-1924 in Brooten, MN to Anton and Mabel Iverson. She and her siblings grew up on a dairy farm during the depression years. Mom often talked fondly of the memories of antics she and her brother performed on the farm. The years were hard and lean; but I think it made her a survivor. She then went into WWII and headed west to the Portland Kaiser Shipyards where she became a welder. She met and married Victor Reiber, who was shortly shipped overseas for duty. They were married 25 years and produced 3 children: Gail Nardone of Garfield, Vernie Lewis or Winlock and Bruce Reiber of Palouse.

Bernice was a hard-working homemaker who worked long hours as homemaker and mother. Each day had its own assigned duties. My favorite was always Friday. Bake day. It meant coming home after school to fresh homemade bread, pies, cookies and a big pot of soup with dumplings. Bernice did not work outside the home until her kids were into Junior-High. She spent 12 years working for WSU in Dining Services until cancer forced an early retirement in 1986. Bernice spent many years enjoying her gardening, embroidery work and cookie baking.

She is survived by her 3 children and 4 grandchildren: John Lewis, Warrenton, OR; James Reiber, Palouse, WA; Bonnie Lewis, Portland, OR and Brandel Aquirre, Tumwater, WA. She is also survived by 3 great-grandchildren: Emma, Reese and Ethos. A brief graveside service only will be held November 16 at Greenwood Cemetery in Palouse.