Florence M. Bernauer

Florence M. Bernauer, 96, of Neodesha, KS, formerly of Topeka, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2008 at a Neodesha care facility. She was born on April 2, 1911 in Astoria, NY, the daughter of Nils P. and Lily Lejoun Ekberg. She lived in College Point, Long Island, N.Y. prior to moving to Topeka in 1966. She worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and later the Long Island Railroad as a comptometer operator prior to her retirement in 1966. Florence was a member of First Baptist Church where she was active in the Golden Circle Bible Study Class and various Gage Bowl Bowling Leagues. Florence married Charles W. Bernauer on September 23, 1927 in Long Island City, N.Y. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1977. She was also preceded in death by one son, Charles "Chuck" Bernauer on August 19, 1992 and her five siblings. Survivors include one son, Neal Bernauer and wife, Carol of Fredonia, one daughter, Florence Fox of Topeka, thirteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, seventeen great-great grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Florence will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church, 3033 S.W. MacVicar Ave., Topeka, KS 66611 or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market St., Wichita, KS 67202.