Alice Berndt

Funeral Service Tuesday, January 27, 2009 11:00 AM Visitation One Hour Prior Ohde Funeral Home, Manilla, Iowa   Officiating Reverend Marshall Brown Esta Denton, Lay Minister   Music  Amazing Grace? Jameila Evans, Vocalist How Great Thou Art? On Eagles Wings? Marshall Brown, Vocalist Alyce Chance, Organist  Casket BearersGarold Conrad, Harlow Conrad     Gary Scrivner, Rick Fulton     Corey Null, Lavern Smith   Honorary Casket Bearers Leo Ertz, Irene Ertz Dennis Durham, David Durham   Interment Danway Cemetery, near Irwin, Iowa  

    Alice May, daughter of William and Emelia (Wigness) Johnson, was born October 22, 1910 on a farm near Irwin, Iowa.  She attended Irwin Consolidated School and graduated from Irwin High School in 1928.  While living on the farm, Alice helped out with the chores.  She disliked milking the cows and picking corn.  After high school, Alice continued to do housework and work as a nanny in Irwin.          On September 27, 1933 Alice was united in marriage with Raymond Berndt in a double ceremony with Grace and Johnny Wilfong at Shenandoah, Iowa by the radio pastor. Alice and Ray were the parents of two daughters, Marilyn and Shirley.  After their marriage, they moved to their home in Manilla, which the family occupied for 73 years. Alice worked for Olson Produce for several years and a short period for Paulsens Clothing Store.  She worked for 27 years as a grocery clerk and checker, 14 years for Ray and Mildred Stenzel and 13 years for Tiny and Alice Blom, until her retirement. Alice was baptized and confirmed in the Irwin Lutheran Church and was a long-time member of the United Presbyterian Church (joined in 1959) and was a present member of the United Church of Manilla. In her spare time Alice enjoyed participating in bridge club, gardening both flowers and vegetables, cooking for family visits and playing Yahtzee.           Alice was a resident of Manilla Manor since November 2005. There, she received loving care and comfort from the staff and Crawford County Hospice. Alice developed a special friendship with Esta Denton through her ministry.    On January 25, 2009, Alice died at the Manilla Manor at the age of 98 years, 3 months, and 3 days.          Alice was preceded in death by her husband Ray in 1982; her parents; three brothers: Jesse Johnson, Joseph Johnson and Willis Johnson; and a sister Blanche Martindale.          Alice is survived by her daughters Marilyn Callahan of Des Moines, and Shirley Smith and husband LaVern of Des Moines; six grandchildren: Julie Scrivner and husband Gary of Indianola, Jean Foster and husband Danny of Des Moines, Shelly Fulton and husband Rick of Van Wert, Sheila Null and husband Corey of Des Moines, David Durham of Carrollton, Texas, and Dennis Durham of Des Moines; three great granddaughters: Sarah Darr and husband Christopher of Milo; Danielle Lanphier; and Jamelia Evans of Des Moines; three great-great granddaughters: Hailey Darr and Maci Darr of Milo, and Melany Lanphier of Des Moines; other relatives and friends.