Bernice Delabarre

How can we condense a full and wonderful life into a few paragraphs?

Let’s start with the facts.  Bernice H. Delabarre was born in Watertown, Minnesota.  She was the 8th child of Emma and Dietrich Thiesfeld, out of 14 children. She married the love of her life, Ronald K. DeLaBarre Sr. on June 12, 1955.  Together they had 4 children and travelled the United States and abroad to wherever Ron Sr. was deployed by the Marines.  They settled in Boulder City, Nevada in 1977 after Ron Sr. retired from the Marines.  Bernice passed away on June 11, 2019 at the age of 84 and she is sorely missed.

Although she was only 5’1”, Bernice could command a room.  She knew how to take charge and enjoyed doing so.  That passion shined throughout her life-whether in her role as wife, mother, civil servant, or volunteer.

She would often say “No job is harder than being a Marine’s wife”.  Bernice oversaw moving the family almost every year whenever Ron’s duty station changed.

When Bernice and Ron settled in Boulder City, Bernice worked for several years with the Bureau of Reclamation and enjoyed a long membership in the Boulder City Republican Women’s Club.  She fulfilled several roles in the club, including President.  Often, she could be found outside the Boulder Dam Credit Union helping to get the word out and register voters.  She enjoyed polling and campaigning and attended 2 inaugural balls in Washington DC.

Bernice had several hobbies.  She took up dollhouse building after retiring, and along with her husband, built several dollhouses, some of which where raffled or donated to various charities.  Bernice also enjoyed needlework, puzzles, gardening, and reading.

Bernice and Ron Sr. continued travelling after they retired.  They started with a small RV.  Soon, their adventurous spirit took them beyond.  Together they enjoyed several cruises, including two world cruises.  They gained the exalted title of 5-Star Mariner with Holland America.  A few of Bernice’s favorite cruise highlights were seeing the Great Wall of China, holding a baby crocodile, and riding a camel.

Bernice lived a wonderful and blessed life, and was known for her sense of humor, her hard work, her volunteering and her passion for politics.  Always ready with a quip, one of her favorite parting phrases was, “Write if you find work.”

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ron Sr., and her parents.  Bernice is survived by several of her siblings: Elverda, Lila, Glen, Leland, Vernon, Carol, Larry, and Joan; by her children: Michelle, Ronald Jr., Niki and George; grandchildren: Ken, his wife Erin, April, and Emily; daughters-in-law: Veronica and DeAnn; step-grandchildren: Jennifer and Juli, her husband Mike;  and step-greatgrandchildren: Addie, Grace, and Aiden.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 1401 5th St, Boulder City, NV 89005 on Saturday, August 10 at 10 a.m.  Reception to follow.  Memorial donations may be made to the following organizations proudly supported by Bernice:  Navy Relief Society and Fisher House.  Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com