Bernice M Sheffield

Funeral Services for Bernice M. Sheffield will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Dale Lambert officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Bernice Maxine Sheffield, 91 years of age, of Cedar Falls, Iowa (formerly of Holdrege), passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Martin Center in Cedar Falls. She was born on May 17, 1920 on the family farm 11 miles North of Cambridge in Frontier County, Nebraska, the fourth of five children born to Henry Monroe and Stella Marie (Perkins) Tumbleson. Bernice received her primary education in School District #8 in Frontier County graduating with the Cambridge High School class of 1937. She then attended Bonnell Beauty Academy in Hastings, Nebraska receiving her beautician license in January 1938.

Bernice owned and worked in a beauty shop in Friend, Nebraska with her sister. Later, she worked as a part-time sales clerk in Clark's Department Store in Elwood, Nebraska. She also worked in the McCook Public Schools cafeteria for 10 years.

On September 30, 1940, she was united in marriage to Francis LeRoy "Frank" Sheffield and to this union three children were born: Donna, James and Paul. The family made their home in Holdrege, Clay Center, Elwood and McCook, Nebraska. Her husband, Frank passed away in 1990.

Bernice was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Women's Group and the 89er's Church Group. She was also a member of the Holdrege Newcomer's Club, the Needlettes sewing and craft club, the Jolly 16's women's club, the Women's Federated Club, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), participated in the Mrs. Nebraska Contest and was crowned Mrs. Phelps County in 1955. She also enjoyed attending activities at the Holdrege Senior Center.

Bernice enjoyed playing "Kitten Ball" softball in her high school years, fishing, sewing, dancing, playing cards, gardening and traveling.

Besides her parents and husband, Frank, Bernice was preceded in death by one sister, Hazel McReynolds; three brothers: Alvin, Carl and Merlin Tumbleson; son, Paul K. Sheffield; granddaughter in-law, Rhonda Debban, two great-granddaughters: Taylor Rottink and Bronte Debban.

She leaves to mourn her passing her children: Donna Debban and her husband, Richard of Cedar Falls, Iowa, James Sheffield and his wife, Jean of Lincoln, Nebraska; 10 grandchildren: Timothy Debban and his wife, Melanie of Anderson, Texas, Dawn Rottink and her husband, Dennis of Clarksville, Iowa, Teresa Buettner and her husband, Chris of Holdrege, Daren Debban of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Tiffiny Caruso of Cedar Falls, Michael Sheffield and his wife, Samantha of Lincoln, Mark Sheffield of Woodland Park, Colorado, Kate Eaglestaff and her husband, Lance of Bismark, North Dakota, Nick Sheffield of Windsor, Colorado, Ben Sheffield of Fort Collins, Colorado; 19 great-grandchildren: Kylie and Kolton Rottink, Cody Hashman and his wife, Taylor and Jennifer Hashman, Aubrey and Jordan Caruso, Noah, Matthew and Mitchell Debban, Carter and Parker Sheffield, Ashley and Jordan Davis, Kenneth, Teysean and Darian Eaglestaff, Joslynn Sheffield, Michael and Matthew Sheffield; many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her name and kindly suggested to Phelps County Senior Center.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be given to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home of Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.