Bernice Melba Farner

Bernice Melba Farner 1919 - 2011 Bernice Melba Farner was born February 17, 1919 in Norfolk, Nebraska to William Marquardt and Pauline Uhrich Marquardt. She was the second of four children. She passed away at age 92 in Meridian, Idaho May 18, 2011. Bernice was raised and educated in Norfolk where they had the family farm. She married Harry 'Bus' Farner in 1939. Together they had two daughters, Marcia and Mary Jo before moving to Idaho in 1941. Before settling in Caldwell they had two sons, William and Steven. While in Caldwell she worked for Mountain Bell and the family operated Bus' Market. In 1967 they sold the grocery store and moved to Idaho Falls where Bus, along with their son-in-law, Bob Douglass, operated One Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaners and Bernice continued to work for the telephone company until she retired in 1974. She especially enjoyed being a member of the Telephone Pioneers. She spent 23 years in Idaho Falls before moving to Meridian in 1990. Her husband passed away in 1994, but Bernice continued their practice of wintering in Yuma, Arizona until this past winter where she decided to stay in Meridian. Bernice especially enjoyed her sewing circles at Faith Lutheran Church in Yuma, First Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls, and Shepherd of the Valley in Meridian. She was very proud of the quilts and stuffed animals she helped make for Hospice, fire stations, and other charitable organizations. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother(Virgil), granddaughter (Abigail), husband (Bus), and younger sister (Violet Heinzel). Bernice is survived by her daughters, Marcia Douglass (Bob) of Meridian and Mary Jo Wood of Orangevale, California, and her sons William (Ruth) of Meridian, and Steven (Mary) of Fort Collins, Colorado, 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. A visitation for family and friends will be held at Chapel of the Chimes, Meridian from 5 to 7:00 p.m on Tuesday, May 24. A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, May 25 at 11:00 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 3100 S. Five Mile Rd. Burial will follow at Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell.