Berniece Violet Bever

Berniece Violet Bever

Berniece Violet Bever peacefully passed away on Friday, May 18, at the age of 88 years old. Berniece had been living in Arizona for the last six years. After a hip replacement in May 2011, Berniece had been residing in a privately owned group home close to her son Bob and daughter-in-law Karen Bever.

Berniece was born on Sept. 25, 1923, in O'Claire, Wis., to Henry and Laura Holman. She was married in Fairchild, Wis., at the age of 17 to Roman Nicholas Bever on June 2, 1941.

After Roman served in World War II, they headed out West to California to start out their life together. Berniece and Roman then realized their money would take them as far as Havre, Mont. For the next 31 years, they raised three children, Ron Roman Bever, Patricia Berniece Bradley and Robert James Bever in the prosperous railroad town. There, their lives were filled with many memories and fondness of community and friends and involvement that they participated in — Roman, with his Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club and Roman Catholic affiliation, and Berniece with her various work experiences, including proprietor of the A&W Root Beer drive-in restaurant.

After Berniece and Roman left Havre, Mont., in 1979, they got to move southwest to join up with their son, Bob, in Arizona where they semi-retired in Prescott and Mesa, Ariz.

Berniece continued to work in the food-related business, where she was the cafeteria manager at a Phoenix Catholic school and then as a food coordinator at McDonnell Douglas in Mesa.

After the passing of Roman Bever in February 1989, Berniece retired and became a full-time grandmother to her grandchildren Rebecca and Marlee Bever, daughters of Bob and Karen.

In 1993, Berniece made her way back up to Havre for 12 years to spend time with her oldest son, Ron Bever, and grandson, Randie Bever. In 2006, Berniece made her way back to the Phoenix area where she spent the remainder of her life. Her hard work ethic and Viking Norwegian heritage kept her strong-willed and determined not to succumb to her many physical health challenges over the last few years.

Surviving Berniece are Ron Bever of Havre, Mont., Patricia Bradley of San Diego, Calif., and Bob Bever of Chandler, Ariz. ; along with six grandchildren, Randie, Renee, Christina, Michael, Rebecca and Marlee. Berniece will be interred with Roman Bever at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz.