Obituaries

(Lilly) Bernice Thomas Harmsen

February 12, 1938 - December 07, 2016

Text:

Obituary For (Lilly) Bernice Thomas Harmsen

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of “Lilly” Bernice (Thomas) Harmsen on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at Points West Hospice, at the age of 78 years.

Bernice was born February 12, 1938 to Harry and Vera Thomas. Mom married Art Harmsen August 16, 1957. They had 5 children

Mom was kind, generous and funny. She was a hard worker, gardening, picking fruit, canning and baking bread. We will always remember some of her sayings: “Okey Dokey Mokey”, and “Don’t know Joe”. Mom liked butterflies, birds, cats, the colour blue, playing crib and cooking for her family. Her cat Jody misses her already. She taught her grandchildren to play crib and she was proud of their card playing and shuffling skills.

Her favourite singers were Johnny Cash, Elvis, Hank Snow and Charlie Pride. Coffee was always on at Mom’s house and you had to have a cookie, square, cake or chocolate bar with your coffee. Mom was a full time Mom and we all know we were loved.

Bernice will be dearly missed by her daughter Jeanette (Cliff) Nyberg and their children Jennifer and Steven; daughter Alie Harmsen and her son Cody; son Art Harmsen (Rose) and Art’s daughter Christy and her children Chaelah, Draven, Vincent, Mannix, and Shaunae; son Lorne (Amy) Harmsen and their sons Devin and Logan; son Harold Harmsen and his daughters Amanda (Steven) and Nicole. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her siblings: Elsie Thomas (Ted), Orville Thomas (Judi), Roy Thomas (Lynn), and Ken Thomas (Sherry).

Bernice was predeceased by her parents Harry and Vera Thomas, husband Art, sister Leona, brother in-law Sandy, 2 nephews, 1 niece and brother Gordon.

At Mom’s request there will be no Funeral Service. She will be cremated and her ashes spread at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Grande Prairie Hospice Palliative Care Society, (Box 21215, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 6W7) or to the charity of one’s choice.

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

  • June 24, 2021

    I would like to send by deepest condolences to all of you. I remember Bernice so well and knew her as an amazing and very kind lady. Another Angel has crossed over, my deepest sympathy and prayers are with you all.

  • June 24, 2021

    We would like to pass on our condolences to the families of Bernice. We didn't know her real well, but the times we were with her we found that she was a great lady and fun to be with. May she rest in peace with Art now.

  • June 24, 2021

    Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time, may your mom/grandmas memories bring a smile to your face and a flutter in your heart. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Anna & Allan Hamilton

  • June 24, 2021

    Mrs.Harmsen, as I respectfully refer to her, was always a kind and gracious hostess when I would stop over. We had many great conversations about Grande Prairie living and life in general. What I admired most was her ability to call a spade a spade, never mincing words. She will certainly be missed by the many people whose lives she touched, particularly Art who lived with her. I would watch them lovingly care for one another in everything they did in their day to day chores and planning and hope for that same care in my later years. She spoke so fondly of all of her family and was very proud of all of her children and their many accomplishments. I will always hold a special place in my heart for such a dear friend and fellow coffee lover.

Loading...

We are experiencing some technical difficulties with our Obituaries.  We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.  Our apologies for any inconvenience.

 

To view the livestream of Sandra Van Schaick (Saturday at 11:00 am) or Glenn Kochendorfer (Monday at 2:00 pm) visit https://www.facebook.com/olivers.funeral.home/

Scroll to Top