Bernice Schoep

Bernice Schoep, 97, of Sioux Center, IA died Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 6-8PM at the Carmel Reformed Church of Rural Rock Valley. A funeral service will be held at Saturday at 2PM at Carmel Reformed Church of rural Rock Valley with Rev. Mark Heijerman officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Carmel Cemetery. The Schoep family prefers memorials be directed to Carmel Reformed Church memorial fund or the Bible League. Bernice Schoep was born on November 1, 1915 in Kanawha, Iowa to Neal and Emma (Bleeker) Grifhorst. When Bernice was 4 years old, she moved with her family to Clear Lake, South Dakota, where she attended grade school. Her mother passed away from tuberculosis at the age of 36 years. Bernice was then cared for by her Grandmother Bleeker. When Bernice was 16, she moved to Orange City, Iowa with her father and two of her sisters. While in Orange City, Bernice did housework for various families until her marriage to William H. Schoep on June 18, 1937. Together they farmed near Carmel, Iowa until 1973, when they moved to Sioux Center. Her husband, Bill, passed away in 1986. She continued to live in her home until 2006 and then moved to Crown Pointe in Sioux Center. Bernice became a resident at Pleasant Acres Care Center in March of 2008 when she was no longer able to walk. She was a member of Carmel Reformed Church since her marriage and was an active participant in the Ladies Aid for many years. She was also an active member of the Plato Township Homemakers until they disbanded. She enjoyed gardening, especially flowers, and many types of handwork including crocheting, plastic canvas, embroidery and quilting. She made over 100 quilts that were given to her family, friends and charities. She also enjoyed playing cards and board games. Bernice was welcomed to her heavenly home at the age of 97 years, 10 months and 3 days on September 4, 2013 at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull, Iowa. Left to cherish her memory are her 4 children: Emilene Kruid, Beresford, SD, Marilyn (Gerrit) Van Holland, Rock Valley, IA, Phyllis (Cornelius) Schelling, Woodland Park, CO, Bill (Mary) Schoep, Sioux Falls, SD; 10 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Gertrude Korver of Lynden, WA; sister-in-law, Louise Vander Schaaf of Texas and half-sister, Phyllis Pierce of Tacoma, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, after 48 years of marriage; 2 grandchildren: Jeffrey Schelling and Jacquelyn Schelling; great-grandson, Marcus Kruid; 3 sisters and their husbands: Marie & Henry Buyert, Helen and Garry Hofkamp, Grace and Bert Buyert and brother-in-law, Simon Korver.