Bernice F. Moser

Bernice F. Moser, 93, of Marysville, Kansas, passed away on September 8, 2025, in Marysville.

Visitation was held on Thursday, September 11, from noon until 5:00 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary. A rosary service followed at 7:00 p.m. at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Marysville.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 12, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Mike and Mark Moser, Chris Schwindamann, Mark Dwerlkotte, Bob Ballman, and Andrew Marston.

She was born June 9, 1932, to Herman and Minnie (Wassenberg) Dwerlkotte and lived with Minnie’s large family near Shroyer for the first four years of her life. It was a busy German household filled with many of Minnie’s siblings, grandchildren, a few hired hands, music, lots of cooking, etc. 1932 marked the beginning of the Dust Bowl, and farming was tough with drought and low prices. Despite the difficulties, there was a great camaraderie among these fun-loving people. Herman, Minnie, and Bernice eventually moved north of town and farmed with horses, milked cows, raised chickens, and had a big garden. Most of the neighbors were like her parents – hard-working immigrants with no-nonsense child-rearing principles. In 1944, the Moody and Erma Moser family moved ¼ mile down the road. They were also hard-working farmers, and anyone who needed help was welcome. Along with them came modern ways and conveniences. Bernice was introduced to ponies, puppies raised to sell, bicycles, motorcycles, indoor plumbing, new cars….and her future husband, Robert. She and Robert were married on August 7, 1954, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church.

Bernice graduated from Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS, in 1954 with a teaching degree and landed her first job in Beattie, KS. Halfway through the school year, her career detoured as she was forced to resign because she was pregnant. She took time to be a wife and mom, then returned to her profession in between having three children, Mary Ellen, Patti, and Steve. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse near Home City but spent most of her career in the Marysville Elementary School system. She touched many students over the years, especially if you wanted to learn, and was a strict disciplinarian if you did not pay attention. Bernice was a former president of The Alpha Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society. She enjoyed traveling with Bob and friends, music, reading, writing letters and cards, and flowers. Her students also comment that she dressed stylishly.

Bernice was interested in people, especially kids. Often her caregivers were quizzed with: “What is your name? Where do you live? Who are your folks?” She maintained a high level of proficiency and skill in using the English language, even though her memory faltered later in life.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2012.

Survivors include her children, Mary (Twig) Marston, Manhattan, KS, Patti (Kent Wassenberg) Dollarhide, Marysville, and Steve (Mary Diederich) Moser, Marysville; three grandchildren, Andrew (Robin) Marston, Katie (Dan Courtright) Marston, and Lily Rose Dollarhide; and three great-grandchildren, Trigg, Bronson, and Delany Marston.

A memorial fund has been established to benefit St. Gregory’s Catholic School. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary.