Bernice Edna Ribe

San Antonio, Texas, the only child of Lindsey and Edna (Koerps) Smith.

Bernice grew up in San Antonio, graduated from Brackenridge High School, and earned a Secretarial Degree from a San Antonio business college. She and her parents were long-time members of Grace Lutheran Church where she was confirmed and active in their youth group. Her father was a member of the Shriners, and she was a long-time member of the Rainbow Girls, their youth service organization for girls and young women. She advanced to the second ranked leadership role in the state of Texas, Grand Worthy Associate Advisor at age 20.

Bernice married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth H. Ribe, on September 1, 1949. They were married for nearly 70 years. They raised two children, Rick and Bonnie. While Ken was studying for his masters degree in Physics at the University of Texas, Bernice became the first secretary for William Gammon Insurance in Austin. Bill Gammon was friends with several UT football coaches who would stop by the office and talk about the team. This is where her love of Longhorn sports began to grow. Bernice and Ken were football season ticket holders with their son for many years. They had the privilege to attend the 1963 and 2005 National Championship games, and several College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ken decided to enter the Lutheran ministry after eight years at Humble Oil and Refining as a Research Engineer in Houston, Texas. This took the family to the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina for three years. After graduation, the ministry took them to St. Matthew's in Fort Worth, Texas, Christ Lutheran in Lake Jackson, Texas, and Living Word in Katy, Texas.

As the wife of a pastor, Bernice was very active in the churches, teaching Sunday School and Confirmation Classes, and helping out wherever she was needed.

She was also very active in the Lutheran Church Women, and served as the Christian Service Chairman for Texas-Louisiana Synod for a year. While in Fort Worth, as a fundraiser the church women served at the breakfast for John F. Kennedy at the Worth Hotel on November 22, 1963. On his way out leaving to go to Dallas, JFK and Jackie walked five feet in front of Bernice. He was assassinated 3 hours later. Also, Ken was asked by the Dallas/Ft. Worth Head of the Ministerial Alliance to assist at the burial of Lee Harvey Oswald. Needless to say, Bernice was very nervous until he got home.

Bernice enjoyed vacations with her family every summer, particularly to Creede, Colorado. Bernice and Ken have been in every state in the USA. They also enjoyed international travel, especially to the Holy Land and Martin Luther Country. She was the best mother and homemaker for her family, and was very involved in her children's activities. She could sew anything and was an exceptionally good cook. The thing that she really loved to do most was spending time with her family, especially her Grandkids and Great-Grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her husband, Ken, and her parents Lindsey and Edna Smith. Survived by her son Richard Ribe, daughter Bonnie Novosad (David). Grandchildren; Kate Ribe Clements (Ross), Paul Ribe (Kaitlyn), Blake Novosad, Keith Ribe (Carlisle), Brooke Novosad Sterzinger (Matthew), Benjamin Ribe (Kelsie), and ten Great-Grandchildren.

The family would like to give special thanks to the residents and staff at Country Village Care in Angleton, Texas for the love and care they have given to Bernice over the 16 months that she was there.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2400 Wilcrest, Houston, Texas 77042.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bernice's name to Christ the Servant Lutheran Church.