Bernice Francis Been

Bernice Francis Been of Fort Smith passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at the age of 87. Bernice was born July 10, 1934. She was the second of three children born to Frank and Agnes (Edelhuber) Bartsch. Bernice married the love of her love, Jack Been in 1952, and they soon welcomed 3 sons to their family, James Ronald, Harold Ray and Kelly Jo.

Bernice was a lifelong Ft. Smith resident and saw many changes during her long life. She was a great ambassador for the city and wherever she traveled, she would tell everyone that Fort Smith was a wonderful place to grow up and to live.

Bernice was an excellent hairdresser and enjoyed a long career with a loyal clientele. She had a real love of life and enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends and family. Bernice was an excellent bowler and was an active participant in various bowling leagues. She also participated in the WIBC state tournament for 50 years and traveled to the National tournaments as well, winning various accolades and awards.

Bernice also enjoyed golfing and was a regular in the lady’s league at Ben Geren golf course for many years. Bernice was an active member of St. Boniface Catholic church, where she, her siblings and her three sons all attended primary school. She graduated from St. Scholastica in 1952. She was also a longtime member of the Chi Sigma social sorority and regularly contributed her talents and time to their charitable fundraising. In her later years she volunteered at Mercy Hospital and genuinely enjoyed meeting people and helping them. Above all Bernice dearly loved her family and friends, including her “adopted” son, Dr. Steve (Linda) Nelson. She especially loved her grandchildren, Jack, Emily, Haley and Rachel Been. She was thrilled when they came to stay and they were always happy when she came to visit. Bernice was dearly loved and will be very much missed by her family and friends.

Bernice is survived by her sons and daughters in law, Ron & Ann Been of Canon City, Colorado, Harold & Vicki Been and Kelly & Esmerelda Been all of Honey Grove, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, Haley’s daughters, Aubrey, Nicolina and Scarlett, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was proceeded in death by her husband Jack, her mother and father, Frank and Agnes Bartsch, her sister Lucy and her brother Jimmy, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the wonderful nurses and staff at Chapel Ridge Health and Rehab who took wonderful care of Bernice during the last year.