Bernice Dreyer Canada

Mrs. Bernice (Dreyer) Canada passed peacefully and surrounded by family on June 14, 2023. She entered the gates of heaven to be met by her husband Travis, daughter Becky, and infant twins Mary and Gary.

She was born the fifth of eleven children on February 18, 1927 in Westphalia, TX to Kanna and Mary (Pelzel) Dreyer. The family moved to the Rowena, TX area where she graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and worked on the family farm. She was a farmgirl to the end and always had a perfect yard, patio tomatoes and pecan trees. No drive through the country to visit family or friends was made without her exclaiming, “Oooh, look at that cotton!”

Shortly after the War she met a handsome young sailor at a dance in Rowena. They both loved to dance and after a short courtship they married on August 28, 1946. They proceeded to “Waltz through Texas” for the next 38 years.

Mom and dad had five children: Kenneth of Columbia, MO, Travis (Rick) of San Angelo, Becky Cleveland (deceased) and infant twins Mary and Gary both deceased.

Mom was in perpetual motion. Up at 4 a.m. to fix daddy’s breakfast and pack his lunch, then wake and feed the kids, and drive them downtown to Sacred Heart School. All this before going to work at General Telephone Directory Co. She would somehow sneak a cup of coffee and finish the crossword during her morning routine.

She retired from General Telephone after 20 years as an accountant and then she got really busy. As a member of Holy Angels Parish she volunteered at the Parish business office. She was a member of Catholic Daughters and served on various parish committees. She was a gifted quilter and always had a quilt on the stands at home. She also served as auxiliary aide at St. Johns hospital and made many special friends there. Mom loved to play card games and was no slouch at dominoes either. She loved it when relatives visited and they would have marathon “Hand and Foot” games. She also excelled at bowling and travelled the U.S. to tournaments. She travelled extensively with family and friends visiting most of North America and Europe.

Bernice is survived by her sons Kenneth (Dianna), Rick (Jan) and grandchildren, Mandi Leahy, Kristopher Canada, Jon Canada, Ashley Carney, Chase Cleveland, Cory Cleveland and Heyden Canada. Great Grandchildren Cadence, Jack and Wyatt Canada, Olivia Leahy, Jake, Addie, Konner, Keegan and Carsyn Cleveland and Courtland and Cash Carney. She is also survived by her sister Catherine Hohensee and brothers Cleo, Henry and Eugene Dreyer.

Pallbearers will be Kris Canada, Jack Canada, Jon Canada, Mike Hohensee, Jake Cleveland and Chase Cleveland. Honorary Pallbearer is Gary Dreyer.

Rosary and Visitation will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2023 at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Holy Angels Catholic Church with interment to follow in Rowena Cemetery. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of The Springs Memory Care Center, Concho Hearts Hospice (Nicole and Lindsay), our special friend Tammy Speciale and Shannon Medical Center Staff of ICU and 6th floor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com for the Canada family.