Bernice Bottoms, 95, of Gardner, KS, passed away February 16, 2013 at her home. Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2013 at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, KS 913-856- 7111. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. before the service at the funeral home. Burial will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2012 at Pisgah Cemetery, Elmwood, MO. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Pisgah Cemetery Association. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com Bernice was born March 10, 1917 in Mount Leonard, MO, to George Fridolin and Isabelle (Smith) Mueller. She was a graduate of Sweet Springs, MO High School and attended the Methodist Church. Bernice married Huston Bottoms on April 18, 1942 in Waldron, AR. They lived in KCMO and Bernice worked for Hallmark Cards. During WWII she worked for Pratt and Whitney. In 1951 they bought a farm and moved to Gardner. She was active in Morning Glory 4- H as a leader. She participated annually in the JoCo Fair as an exhibitor of African Violets, winning a Grand Champion of Show. Bernice was a published poet. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who was never happier than when surrounded by children. She will be dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Huston in 2001 and siblings Kenneth, Byron, Louise, Kathleen and Lucille. Bernice is survived by four sons, Robert H Bottoms of KCMO, Richard A Bottoms and wife Debbie of Spring Hill, KS, Gary K Bottoms of Gardner and Daryl D Bottoms and wife Carrie Goeringer of Hyattsville, MD; two daughters, Jacquelyn K and husband John Tubbs of Norwich, KS, and Leesa A and husband James Graham of Olathe, KS; brother Leland Mueller of Sweet Springs, MO; seven grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

Published in Kansas City Star on February 19, 2013