Bernice Elaine Benson Van Mechelen

Bernice Elaine Benson Van Mechelen passed away peacefully at her home on Black Lake on June 1, 2015. She was born to Emil Wilhelm Benson and Dorothy Madeline Whitley on May 9, 1931 in Mount Vernon Washington as was her younger sister Nancy Marie; both spent their early years in Skagit County. Her mother moved to Olympia having remarried to Harley Stauffer who then became Bernice's step-father and "Dad". She attended local schools including Garfield, Lincoln and the old Olympia High School on Capitol Way. She was inside Olympia High when the 1949 earthquake occurred causing extensive damage to Olympia and the coastal areas.

Bernice was of Cherokee Indian descent with her ancestors having been victims of the notorious "Trail of Tears" debacle. Having acquired a driver's license, one of Bernice's favorite stories was about how her dad had allowed her to take a spin around the dairy farms in the Arlington area in his model "A" with her little sister but no adults aboard. Her Dad was a little relieved and very proud of her when she returned with his Ford still in one piece.

Having a beautiful singing voice, Bernice participated extensively in girl's glee, mixed chorus and concerts signing occasionally on local radio station KGY. Her granddaughter Rachael Ross will sing the same song, "I love you truly dear" at her service that her friend Rosemary sang at her wedding. Graduating high school in 1949 Bernice took employment with the State Highway Department Personnel Office where she met her future husband Dan whose father was Head of Safety next door. Brought together by school friends Rosemary Schmitt and Ed Shattuck, they married on July 30 1950 in the First Christian Church. Dan was attending Saint Martin's on the G.I. Bill then moved to the University of Washington and an engineering job at Boeing for 36 years during which time Bernice did undergraduate study at Highline College. They had three children Rod, Rebecca and Nathan; for grandchildren Rachel, Alison, Jacob and Jenny; two great-granddaughters Kira and Eliona.

Bernice enjoyed swing dancing with her husband, schottische, polka, and especially enjoyed traveling. The last three Boeing years her husband was company representative in Xian, China, Bernice was at his side teaching English to enthusiastic Chinese students, an incredible and rewarding experience. She traveled extensively throughout the Asian countries and returned home traveled west visiting several European countries and friends from her China experience. Returning via the polar route to Seattle, she had completely encircled the globe. She has more recently discovered America visiting the Grand Canyon, Panama Canal, Niagara Falls, Branson, Missouri and the Wild West.

Bernice will be sorely missed by family and friends but will never be forgotten.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.