Bernice Elizabeth Hanson Armstrong

She died on Sunday, April 10, 2016, at the Evansville Protestant Home, where she had lived since 2007.

A front-page story appeared in the Evansville Courier & Press on her 100th birthday on March 12.

She and Tom Armstrong, her cartoonist son, were interviewed for the feature.

An Evansville native, Tom is the creator of “Marvin,” a long-running comic strip that appears in newspapers around the world.

Tom’s mother was the inspiration for Marvin’s grandmother, whose name is Bea. His late father, Ray Armstrong, inspired Roy, Bea’s husband.

Bernice was born in La Crosse, Wis., on March 12, 1916. She was Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hanson’s only daughter. Her brothers, Harvey, Al and Bill, preceded her in death.

Her scholastic ability allowed her to graduate from high school in three years.

Bernice was a bookkeeper before her marriage to Art Thom. Their daughter, Diane, was born just after his death in 1941.

Her marriage to Ray Armstrong in 1948 produced sons Dan and Tom.

Ray died in 1987.

A religious woman, Bernice was a longtime member of the Methodist Temple, where she had many friends.

She regularly attended worship services, Bible study and meetings of United Methodist Women.

She volunteered at her church and for friends.

As long as she lived, Bernice liked to laugh and had a quick wit, especially with a one-liner.

She was a good cook.

All her life she enjoyed reading.

A skillful game player, Bernice loved to play Skip-Bo in later years. She had been a bridge player and taught Evansville friends to play zioncheck, a game popular in La Crosse.

Besides Diane (Kent) Baker of Benton Harbor, Mich., Dan of Evansville and Tom (Glenda) of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., Bernice is survived by grandsons, Christopher (Ann Marie) Baker of Rockford, Mich., Scott (Alicia) Baker of Trophy Club, Texas, and Jonathan Armstrong of Lakewood Ranch; a granddaughter, Jennifer (Brian) Lough of Lakewood Ranch; great-grandsons, Steven and Matthew Baker of Rockford, Blake Baker of Trophy Club and Graham Lough of Lakewood Ranch; great-granddaughters, Caitlin Baker of Rockford and Sloane Baker of Trophy Club; and nieces and nephews.

She was looking forward to the births of twin great-grandchildren.

Alexander Funeral Home - East Chapel is handling arrangements.

There will be no visitation. The family plans a private memorial service.

Burial will be in Park Lawn Cemetery beside Ray.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.