Berenice L. Kmetz, 84, of Idaho Falls, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008, at Life Care Center due to complications of age.

Berenice was born in Republic, Wash., on May 31, 1924, to LeRoy and Myrtle Powers. While living in Shoup, Idaho, at the age of 17, she married Chester E. Whiteside.

They were blessed with a son, Chester LaVaun. Her husband was killed in action during WWII. Berenice later married Victor L. Kmetz and had four more children. She lived in Blackfoot for nearly 40 years and divorced Victor in 1980. She then lived in Idaho Falls from 1995 to 2008. She was able to get her endowments in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and was finally able to be sealed to Chester, the love of her life.

Berenice was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served two full time missions. The first was in 1982 in the London England Temple and the second was in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Genealogy Library in 1991. Berenice made close to 200 quilts and baby blankets that she donated to the Humanitarian Department through the church over the last 12 years.

Berenice is survived by her son, of Firth, three daughters, f Shelley of Rigby and of Green River, Wyo.; siblings, of Anchorage, Alaska, of Pocatello and of Pocatello; 24 grandchildren; 80 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Myrtle Powers; her husband, Chester E. Whiteside; a son, Victor L. Kmetz Jr.; and four sisters.

Published in the Post Register on 10/17/2008

Berenice L. Kmetz, 84, of Idaho Falls, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008, at Life Care Center due to complications of age.

Berenice was born in Republic, Wash., on May 31, 1924, to LeRoy and Myrtle Powers. While living in Shoup, Idaho, at the age of 17, she married Chester E. Whiteside.

They were blessed with a son, Chester LaVaun. Her husband was killed in action during WWII. Berenice later married Victor L. Kmetz and had four more children. She lived in Blackfoot for nearly 40 years and divorced Victor in 1980. She then lived in Idaho Falls from 1995 to 2008. She was able to get her endowments in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and was finally able to be sealed to Chester, the love of her life.

Berenice was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served two full time missions. The first was in 1982 in the London England Temple and the second was in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Genealogy Library in 1991. Berenice made close to 200 quilts and baby blankets that she donated to the Humanitarian Department through the church over the last 12 years.

Berenice is survived by her son, of Firth, three daughters, f Shelley of Rigby and of Green River, Wyo.; siblings, of Anchorage, Alaska, of Pocatello and of Pocatello; 24 grandchildren; 80 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Myrtle Powers; her husband, Chester E. Whiteside; a son, Victor L. Kmetz Jr.; and four sisters.

Published in the Post Register on 10/17/2008