Berniece Amelia Kissinger

Berniece Amelia (Humiston) Kissinger died at the Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado, 2 October, 2011, at the age of 101 years and 10 months of age. She will be buried next to her husband, Frank Kissinger, in Mankato, KS.

She was born on a farm near Webber, Kansas, on 29 November, 1909, to Charles and Hatie Humiston. Berniece graduated from Webber High School in 1928, and Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, in 1932, with honors. She worked as deputy Probate Judge and social worker, both in Mankato after graduation from Washburn University.
She married Frank Kissinger, the love of her life, on 2 December, 1939. One son, Don Kissinger was born in February of 1945.

Berniece was a member of the first 4-H club in Jewell County. Berniece was a member of many bridge clubs, the DAR, and other community activities in Mankato.

She was a partner with her husband in a real estate and insurance business in Mankato from 1941 to 1978. Berniece loved to travel with her husband and especially enjoyed visiting her son and his wife Carol, when they were stationed in Germany with the Air Force. She especially enjoyed traveling to Kansas State University basketball and football games with “Bus” Boyd and his wife Mary. She loved all of Don’s friends and always enjoyed having them over for dinner.

Berniece moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1997 to be close to Don and Carol. She lived independently for a number of years before moving to assisted living. Berniece will be remembered as a great supporter of Mankato, Jewell County, and the State of Kansas.

A celebration of life service for Bernice A. Kissinger will be (was) held Monday, October 10, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle. Music was performed by Mrs. Pat Grout, pianist, and Pastor Gerry Sharp, soloist. The hymns were: “How Great Thou Art”, “Old Rugged Cross,” and “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.” Casket bearers were: Chris Whelchel, Greg McMillan, Mike Dillon, Donna Ramey, Gordon Murray, and Will Baldwin. Interment followed at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to Christian Church or Mankato City Library, both of Mankato, Kansas, in care of Melby Mortuary, P O Box 384, Mankato, Kansas 66956. Service arrangements were handled by Melby Mortuary.