Bernice H. White

Bernice H. White, 100, of Norborne, MO, died peacefully on February 26, 2022, at the family farm home, following a brief illness.
Bernice was born August 26, 1921, on the Hitzemann Heritage Farm south of Carrollton, MO, to Ernst and Helen (Ackermann) Hitzemann. On July 2, 1949, at the Waverly Lutheran Church, she married Thomas C. White Jr. of Norborne. They enjoyed nearly 59 years together.
Survivors include four daughters and two sons: Barbara of Dothan, AL; Thomas III and
wife, Susan, of Norborne, MO; Beverly and husband, John Menet, Chicago, IL; Brenda and husband, Robert Kueck, of Parkville, MO; Timothy and wife Kathy, Indianapolis, IN; Betsy and husband Jim Holak, Atherton, CA; eleven grandchildren: Thomas Dannemann, Matthew Dannemann, Nathan White, and Amanda (White) and husband Josh Van Meter, Teddy Menet, Kyle Kueck, and Katie (Kueck) and husband, Cougar Gray, Mary Ann White, Christine White, Julia White, and Mitchell Holak; four great grandchildren: Klementine and Koral Gray, and Samantha and Jonathan Van Meter; and many nieces and nephews also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom White, in 2008, her parents, Ernst and Helen Hitzemann, brother, Oliver Hitzemann, and two sisters, Irene Kaiser and Mary Moore.
Bernice attended Fletcher School in the country, Lutheran grade school in Carrollton, and graduated from Carrollton High School in 1939. Growing up she was known as the "activities girl" which continued until her death. In 1943, she graduated with a Home Economics Education degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She taught for two years each in Vandalia and Neosho, MO, and another two years in Seattle, WA. After her marriage to Tom, she became involved in local community activities as she raised six children. She was an active lifelong member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Norborne.
There were many things that Bernice did which touched people in very personal ways. For many years, she continued to be a teacher through 4-H projects. She was an advocate of teaching civic engagement through the American Legion Auxiliary Post 551 with her support of Girls and Boys State and by leading the Carroll County Government Day for Norborne High School Sophomores for over 30 years. She was present at school and community activities well after her own children's involvement. She was a founding member of the Carroll County Health Department Board on which she served for many decades. She always made time to support church activities and enjoyed working on mission projects.
Bernice embraced handwritten communication and was known for her beautiful handwriting. She corresponded regularly with both family and friends. She kept a birthday/anniversary/baptism calendar and was meticulous with sending thoughtful notes for these special occasions.
Her status as a University of Missouri alumni was cherished, and she continued to be engaged with Mizzou through the MU extension, alumni events, and sporting events. She followed the Mizzou Tigers as well as the Chiefs and the Royals and celebrated recent championships.
She was cherished and dearly valued by her family, church, and community and was honored through the years for her volunteer efforts. She inspired the best in each person she met and was genuine in all her interactions, remembering, and recalling even the smallest details about friends and family. She had a servant s heart and consistently put others needs before her own. She had a passion for church and her life was a testament to her robust faith. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Norborne, Fairhaven Cemetery, or the HELP Services in Carrollton. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 11:00 A.M., at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Norborne. Visitation will be held before the service from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the church. Burial will follow at the Fairhaven Cemetery, Norborne, MO. Please remember to share your memories of Bernice with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Services to be livestreamed on Trinity Lutheran Churches Facebook page.