1918
Bernice
2013
Bernice Mary Rex
November 4, 1918 — May 12, 2013
Bernice Mary Rex
November 4, 1918 - May 12, 2013
SALEM - Bernice Mary Rex, Kappler family matriarch died May 12, 2013. Born November 4, 1918 on a farm near Armour South Dakota, she was preceded in death by parents Bertha and William S Kappler; brother, William; and three sisters: Louise, Gladys, and Mary. Bertha's death in 1926 left Bernice in her grandmother's and aunt's care in more urban Huron, South Dakota. As a young adult she worked for South Dakota governor's daughter and husband, the publisher of the Daily Plainsmen, Huron's newspaper. There she acquired many urban cultural niceties and met the love of her life and on September 28, 1940 married Melvin Rex. They celebrated life together until Melvin's death in 2012.
Bernice moved to Portland in 1943 and eventually settled in Salem in 1946. As a farmer's daughter, she was equally adept as a homemaker and gardener. A lifelong devout Catholic, and member of the St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, she served on the Legion of Mary and as an ecumenical minister for over 30 years. Her homegrown and handpicked blueberry pies were legendary. Huge gardens and canning kept her busy, but she always had time to campaign for the March of Dimes, Cancer drives, social justice and grandchildren.
Bernice is survived by one son Richard, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 17th at 1:00 p.m. in the Restlawn Funeral Home, Salem, Oregon. Private interment will be in Restlawn Memory Gardens.
November 4, 1918 - May 12, 2013
SALEM - Bernice Mary Rex, Kappler family matriarch died May 12, 2013. Born November 4, 1918 on a farm near Armour South Dakota, she was preceded in death by parents Bertha and William S Kappler; brother, William; and three sisters: Louise, Gladys, and Mary. Bertha's death in 1926 left Bernice in her grandmother's and aunt's care in more urban Huron, South Dakota. As a young adult she worked for South Dakota governor's daughter and husband, the publisher of the Daily Plainsmen, Huron's newspaper. There she acquired many urban cultural niceties and met the love of her life and on September 28, 1940 married Melvin Rex. They celebrated life together until Melvin's death in 2012.
Bernice moved to Portland in 1943 and eventually settled in Salem in 1946. As a farmer's daughter, she was equally adept as a homemaker and gardener. A lifelong devout Catholic, and member of the St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, she served on the Legion of Mary and as an ecumenical minister for over 30 years. Her homegrown and handpicked blueberry pies were legendary. Huge gardens and canning kept her busy, but she always had time to campaign for the March of Dimes, Cancer drives, social justice and grandchildren.
Bernice is survived by one son Richard, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 17th at 1:00 p.m. in the Restlawn Funeral Home, Salem, Oregon. Private interment will be in Restlawn Memory Gardens.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernice Mary Rex, please visit our flower store.
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