Bunzey, Bernice Shultes
GUILDERLAND — Bernice Bunzey, 98, formerly of Berne, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland.
Born on January 11, 1924, the daughter of the late Verni and Mertie (Barber) Shultes, she grew up on their family farm in West Berne. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 59 years, Kenneth R. Bunzey.
Bernice was a 1940 graduate of Berne-Knox High School. She worked as a secretary to the high school principal shortly after graduation and later the Hartford Insurance Co. and General Electric. Bernice and Ken were married in 1943, while he was in the Army and before he went overseas. After his discharge, they purchased a home in Berne in 1947, where they raised their family. After giving birth to two daughters and a son, Bernice worked for Hannay Hose Reel Co. in Westerlo, as a receptionist and switchboard operator for 35 years until her retirement.
Bernice was a gregarious person, loved going to parties, picnics, camping, boating, and loved to travel. While their children were growing up, they owned a camp on Great Sacandaga Lake and enjoyed years of boating, swimming, and water skiing. Some of Bernices’s many hobbies included cooking, reading, solving crossword puzzles, gardening, quilting, and bowling. She had an average of 160 plus and bowled until she was 85. She and her husband traveled to Hawaii, Bermuda and toured seven countries in Europe, as well as going on several cruises. After retirement, they spent winters in Summerfield, Fla., for nearly 30 years.
Bernice was a lifelong member Helderberg Evangelical Lutheran Church in Berne and an associate member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Summerfield, Fla.
She was predeceased by her parents; and her siblings, Charles Keith Shultes, Millard Shultes, and Margaret "Peg" Hayden. Bernice is survived by her two daughters and sons-inlaw, Barbara (Steven) Rivenburgh of Middleburgh, and Karen (Charles) Viviano of Ravena; a son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth (Karen) Bunzey of Berne; nine grandchildren, Kevin (Stephanie) Krause, Todd Krause, Brenda McDermott, Bonnie (Joseph) Foland, Bradley (Vicki) Bouck, Bradley (Vicki) Bouck, Kendall (Timothy) Kirsch, Bryan Viviano, Kelly Viviano, and Lee (Cary) Carr; 16 great-grandchildren and two great-greatgrandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pastor Jeff Silvernail for his supportive visits, as well as Pastor Doug from Hospice, and the staff of Our Lady of Mercy Life Center and the "angel" nurses from Hospice and Palliative Care Association, for their kindness and exceptional care at the end of Bernice’s life.
There will be no calling hours. A graveside committal service will take place in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Berne, in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bernice’s name are requested be made to the Helderberg Evangelical Lutheran Church in Berne, the Berne Ambulance Corp., and the Hospice and Palliative Care Association in Albany.
Online condolences at FredendallFuneralhome.com