Berniece Elaine Wallace, age 100, passed away peacefully in her room at North Point Skilled Nursing in Paola, Kansas on June 15, 2021. She was born in her family home in Norwood Park, Illinois on May 4, 1921. She was the identical twin of Irene (Robert) Schwarz of Buffalo Grove Illinois. Irene passed away on April 23, 2021 just before her 100th birthday. Berniece had a brief marriage with Ed Wallace that ended with a divorce in 1953.
She supported the war effort during World War II, working on the assembly line of Bomber and Fighter planes at Lockheed Aircraft Company in California. After the war, she worked at Sun Electric as an inspector until she retired in 1983.
Berniece was an avid artist, specializing in oil paint, charcoal, pastels and wood carving. Birds were her favorite subjects for carving. She carved upwards of 40 birds of various species. Her religious oil paintings were donated to, and hang in many churches around the country. Even though her eye sight was failing, she continued to carve until her death. Her last piece was a Loon that is about 90% completed.
She moved out of her family home in January 2020 and into the home of her daughter and son in law, Debra Wallace Karina and Dennis Karina. All of her art supplies and table were set up in the home where she continued to enjoy her hobby. She was very independent, but enjoyed the daily pampering from her loving family.
Survivors include her only child, a daughter, Debra (Dennis) Karina of Louisburg Kansas, grandchildren Jennifer (Paul) Anderson of Bemidji Minnesota and their children Jaaryka and Karlye, and great great grandchildren Clairy and Liam; Michael (Sarah) Karina of Overland Park Kansas and their children Elizabeth and Jayden; and Sharon Karina of Chicago Illinois; and her niece Mary (John) Perschino of Williston Florida.
She is under the care of McGilley & Frye Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
Funeral Service will be held on June 25, 2021 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church, 34868 Block Rd., Paola, KS. Committal Service will be held on June 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, 13901 Blackbob Road, Olathe, KS.
