Bernice Agnes Haas passed away peacefully Oct. 26, 2014 with her family on Bainbridge Island at her side.
She was born on Jan. 1, 1917 in La Crosse, Indiana. She was the daughter of Richard and Anna Sonnenberg and had two sisters, Alice and Adeline. All preceded her in death.
Bernice spent her early years in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a tomboy at heart and loved to play baseball and tennis. She grew up speaking only German until she entered first grade. Her life centered around a large extended family and a strong early devotion to her church. She graduated from Elkhart High School in 1934 and went to work for Chicago Telephone (CTS).
She married John Haas on Nov. 17, 1940 and for years they lived on a fruit orchard in Bristol, Indiana where their children Richard and Kathleen were born. They subsequently moved to Elkhart, Indiana raised their family and were active in Trinity Lutheran Church. One of her favorite activities was translating the Bible into Braille. John passed away in 1982 and Bernice maintained the family home until 2000 when she moved to Bainbridge Island.
On the island she was known for her great sense of humor, her dedication to family and church and her baking skills.
Nicknamed “Giggles,” she lit up a room when she entered: her laugh was contagious. She found true joy in life as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She always loved having the little ones around her. Her baking skills were renowned and she always had cookies or a pie in the oven. When she offered pie baking lessons at charity auctions they would always sell out.
She loved the fellowship of Bethany Lutheran Church and was active in Rachel Circle, Altar Guild and FFF. She made many new friends on Bainbridge Island who will miss her dearly.
Bernice is survived by her son Richard and his wife Cheryl Haas from Land O’ Lakes, Florida, and her daughter Kathleen and her husband Richard Dernbach of Bainbridge Island. Grandchildren include John Dernbach, Jeff Dernbach, Richard Haas and Ashley Sorenson. In addition she is survived by nine great-grandchildren; Laurel, Ben, Hayden, Keaton, Brandon, Alexis, Hannah, Blake and Zoe.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Bainbridge Island.
In addition a memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Oceola, Indiana where Bernice will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband John.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Bethany Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 7968 Finch Road, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 or to Helpline House, 282 Knechtel Way NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.
