BERNIECE CASADY

Berniece Casady of Atlantic who lived most of her life in the Lewis area passed away March 11, 2012 at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Berniece Henrietta Kirchoff Casady was born on June 20, 1914 to Arthur and Grace (Robson) Kirchoff. She was born at home south of Lewis, Iowa. Berniece graduated from the Lewis High School in 1931. She married Claud Franklin Casady on September 5, 1937 at the Methodist parsonage in Lewis. Berniece was never afraid of work. While living in Lewis, many teachers enjoyed rooming and boarding at the Casadys and for several years she sold Minnesota Woolen clothing. Berniece worked at the Lewis Cash grocery store and later opened Grandma’s Gift Shop with Ruby Quinn. For a time, Claud and Berniece moved from Lewis to the farm they owned, giving up the comforts of indoor “facilities” and other amenities. Upon Claud’s retirement in 1964, they built a house in Lewis and lived there until moving to 800 Chestnut in Atlantic in 1985. They were two of the original occupants of the new apartment complex. Berniece was instrumental in organizing the Lewis Activity Center where fun times and delicious food were enjoyed by many. She and Claud while in their 70s, along with the Zimmermans and Cavins of the same age group, helped to restore the Hitchcock House west of Lewis. They volunteered six days a week restoring the house itself; painting, cleaning, and repairing the original structure. Berniece and Claud loved to dance and play cards. She also enjoyed reading, crosswords, golfing, watching all types of sporting events, saving recipes, and cooking. Her highest priority; however, was always her family. She not only enjoyed being with all of them, but was willing to help them in any way she could. She made many quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Berniece was a member of the Lewis Congregational Methodist Church.
Surviving are a daughter Sharon (Randall) Breckerbaumer and a son Richard (Darla) Casady all from Atlantic. Four grandchildren, Jan (Kent) Muller of Grisworld, Lynn Casady of Winterset, Kate (Randy) Justman of Van Meter, and Steve (Patty) Barnholdt of Arlington, Texas. Great grandchildren: Misty (Ted) Johnson of Runnells, Iowa, Kelly (Maggie) Muller of Griswold, Meagan (Nathan) Ross of Atlantic, Nick (Teresa) Muller of Atlantic, Bethany (Nathan) Koch of Iowa City, and Jill (Matt) Huebsch of Chicago, Lukas and Casady Vopnford of Winterset, Nathan Justman of VanMeter and Alex and George Adam Barnholdt of Arlington, Texas. Great-great grandchildren: Bruce, Margaret and Max Johnson; Abby and Jack Muller; Emma, Audrey, and Jacob Koch and Zack, Alex, and Zoey Huebsch. A niece Della Beth Casady Christensen of California and a nephew David (Robin) Kirchoff of Wisconsin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Claud in 1998; a grandson, Jon Breckerbaumer in 1979; and a granddaughter, Traci Barnholdt in 1985; her brother Dale; her brother Paul and his wife Norma , Byron and Dorothy Casady, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law; nieces Karla and Krista Kirchoff and Caroline Casady Erickson.
Berniece’s funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Lewis Congregational Methodist Church. The committal service will follow in Oakwood Cemetery at Lewis, Iowa. Pastor Nadine Aydt will officiate. There will be open visitation at Roland Funeral Home on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 to 5:30 and family will greet friends from 7:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 14.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Berniece’s family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left in her guestbook at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

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