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Bernice L. Lenker, 102 of Syracuse, passed away on her wedding anniversary, September 19, 2021, at the Syracuse Good Samaritan Center. She was born on May 31, 1919, to Fritz & Anna (Ottens) Hillman on their farm near Otoe. She spent her childhood with her 8 sisters and 2 brothers, helping to milk cows and playing in the beams in the upper part of the barn. She attended Otoe High School and was the 1st cheerleader at the school. She met her match when her date introduced her to Reed Lenker at a dance in Dunbar. Upon meeting Bernie, he told her date he'd just made the biggest mistake of his life. On September 19, 1939, they eloped in Iowa City, IA with their best friends, Leonard and Jackie Martin as their witnesses.

Together Bernie and Reed worked on the farm and raised their four children Lanny, Lynene, Janene and John. In her spare time, she made wedding cakes for local couples. She and Reed spent many years laughing, playing cards, and going dancing with numerous local friends, especially with her sister Helen and brother-in-law Johnny Kepler. After retiring, she and Reed spent 17 winters in Brownville, Texas where they golfed, made many more friends and where she discovered the family margarita recipe. A wonderful cook, people would drive for miles (mainly her sons and sons-in-laws) for her homemade fried chicken and cinnamon rolls. Bernie never gave up baking, even after retiring from making wedding cakes. She delighted her 35 grand, great grand and great great grandchildren with her beautiful cakes – both wedding cakes and birthday cakes – dollie cakes for the little girls and dinosaur, Husker football or baseball cakes for the little boys. In her later years, she enjoyed watching Husker football, going out for ice cream, reading books, and embroidering dish towels for her friends and family.

She is survived by her Daughter: Janene (Dwayne) Bartels, Son: John (Suzi) Lenker; Daughter-in-law: Linda Lenker, Son-in-law: Max Meyer; Grandchildren: Gary (Tari) Lenker, Becky (Shawn) Brechbill, Randy (Julie) Meyer, Rod (Rose) Meyer, Jennifer (Scott) Battles, Stephanie (Kurt) Christensen, Amy (Jim) Ziegler, Matt Bartels, Josh (Claire) Lenker, Bri (Ray) Hanson; special friends Lynette and David Chrenka and the Pat and Irma Kreifels family; 20 Great Grandchildren; 5 Great Great Grandchildren; Sister: Marian Curtis; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband: Reed, Children: Lanny Lenker, Lynene Meyer, 2 brothers and 7 sisters.

Bernie loved to dance and so did her beloved Reed. The family is certain he met her with open arms, ready for a dance in heaven on their 82nd wedding anniversary with Lanny, Lynene and so many friends and family watching with smiles on their faces.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, September 27 at 10:30 A.M. at the Syracuse United Methodist Church. The service will be livestreamed on the Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Facebook page. Burial will follow at the Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City.

Memorials are suggested to the Syracuse Rescue Squad or Jacobsen Syndrome Research.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com