Bernice Evaughn Marpel

Bernice was born an only child to Earl Tuttle Marpel and Inis Vivian Frew Marpel near Oak, Nebraska on December 10, 1917. Living far from school her mother taught her until they moved where she entered school at nearly 7 years. However, she graduated Nelson High School at 17. Approximately 3 months later her believed Daddy went to be with the Lord and Bernice was then forced to enter the working world and trained in business. She ran the gamut from 1st a government position to assistant manager of a Mayfair Chain Supermarket. She moved to California in the spring 1941. Her mom followed a few months later.

A patriot from the word “Go” she served as security to the War Bond Comm. of Tulare, Co for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Bond Drivers. She reopened the office at night for the Red Cross and worked with them. When time permitted she spent time with the Lumber Co. where she was employed as a Bookkeeper. She also tried to help an Army man find housing for his wife, and stood by when their baby was born. One Rankin Airforce man was practically adopted by them; serving dinner and going fishing in his off time. She did volunteer work for the Heart Ass. & Cancer Foundation. She was a Charter Member of the Leardership Circle of the NCPSSM. She was also a member of the Lake Hughes Boating Club. A self-taught artist she had sold and given away many painting. However, her interest were diverse; she liked dogs and horses, working with wood, roller-skating, trout fishing, to ride horse back and target shoot. She was an avid fan of the University of Nebraska Football. She has been a member of the Superior Nebraska Methodist Church since March 28, 1937. She has been associated with the local First Church of the Nazreen since 1983 and was devoted to Betsy Kerr’s Bible Class.

Berince and Inis moved to Ventura County in 1945. And to Ventura in 1955 with the exception with about 7 months Inis lived with Bernice until her death just short of 103 years when she joined her husband in glory. Bernice cared for her at home, for 14 years refusing against protest to put her in a nursing home. They not only had a loving mother-daughter relationship but were friends as well. Having written poetry from childhood her “God’s cloud” is published in “Our Twentieth Century’s Greatest Poems”.

Bernice went to Heavenly home on July 3, 2016 in Ventura, CA. Although married for 20 years she did not have a child. However, a friend who has known her since approximately 1957 has said she has never known her to be without children. She loved them and they flocked to her.