Berniece B. Machens

Machens, Berniece B., (nee: Alfred) of Portage Des Sioux, MO, died on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, at the age of 94. Loving wife of the late Luke E. Machens; beloved daughter of the late Frank and Mamie Alfred; devoted mother of Thomas (Marge) Machens and the late Mary Ann Beilsmith; dear mother-in-law to George Beilsmith; cherished grandmother of Craig (Jenny) Beilsmith, Christy Beilsmith, Andy (Sian) Machens, and Julie (Justin) Schuckenbrock; treasured great-grandmother of Grant Beilsmith, Nathan Beilsmith, Joel Machens, Dylan Machens, and Blake Schuckenbrock; loving sister of Gladys Machens and Opal Runde. She is preceded in death by her siblings Genevieve Miller, Lucille Wehmeyer, Mildred Schrader, Pearl Richterkessing, Ruben Alfred, and Roy Alfred.

Berniece married Luke, the love of her life, on November 23, 1939. They celebrated 65 wonderful years of mariage before he preceded her in death.

Berniece was the epitome of a strong, hard working, farm woman. She was born on a farm in Black Walnut, Missouri. Luke and Berniece then split their time between their farms in Portage Des Sioux and Middletown, Missouri.

She had been a life-long member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Portage. She was an active member of the Ladies Sodality. She loved family gatherings, square dancing in her younger years, gardening, cooking, and quilting. Her favorite past-time was spending time with, and caring for her cattle and pets.

Memorials may be made to Duchesne Catholic High School.