Bernice Josephine Weinheimer, née Klein, passed away in her home on Weinheimer Ranch, Stonewall, on December 18, 2011, at the age of 80 years old. She was born on November 14, 1931, in Fredericksburg, Texas, to the late Emil and Otilia Klein.

Bernice was raised near the banks of the Pedernales River in Stonewall, Texas. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Fredericksburg, in 1949. On July 5, 1950, she married Roy E. Weinheimer who became her constant companion and loving caretaker during the last years of her remarkable life.

At the age of 19 years Bernice gave birth to her first child and for the next 21 years delivered and nurtured seven more children. Her oldest son, Phil Paul Weinheimer, preceded her in death at the age of 16, and was laid to rest exactly 42 years to the date on December 22, 1969.

Bernice was a passionate mother, loving wife and influential grandmother, cooking, sewing, packing lunches, sacrificing, leading, guiding, supporting and setting examples during the past 61 years. She was a gentle giant and was the quintessential homemaker.

She was devoted to the Catholic Church and was life long member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Stonewall. She was an influential church member and as Alzheimer’s ravished her mind, she continued to recite prayers to the Lord without fault.

While rearing her family, Bernice found time for community and school volunteer work and held leadership roles in such organizations as the St. Rose Society, Home Demonstration Club and Stonewall Historical Society. She also chaired many community, youth and church committees and fundraising events.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Roy E. Weinheimer of Stonewall, as well as seven children, daughter Brenda and husband Roland Rode of Llano, son Kim Weinheimer and wife Janis of Kyle, son Len Weinheimer of Stonewall, son Don Weinheimer and wife Colette of Fulshear, daughter Joy Reznicek of Aliceville, Alabama, daughter Lea and husband Butch Stokes of Boerne and son Kip Weinheimer and wife Jenée of Fredericksburg. She has twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Kyle Rode and wife Cheryl of College Station; Josh Rode and wife Janna of Llano; Jordana Rode of Llano; Anna Weinheimer of Kyle; Chism, Lexus, Cord and Camry Weinheimer of Stonewall; Jetta and husband Chad Eckhardt of Fredericksburg; Walker Weinheimer of Fulshear; Baylor and Ashlyn Weinheimer of Fredericksburg and great granddaughter Taryne Rode of College Station. She is also survived by sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws Betty (Mrs. Paul) Klein, Clifteen (Mrs. Alois) Klein, Evelyn (Mrs. Clarence J) Klein, Arthur Lynn Hahn and wife Julia, Betty (Mrs. Tom) Weinheimer, Evelyn (Mrs. Harold) Woods, Joanne and Harold Kusenberger, and Clara (Mrs. Harvey) Garber. She was preceded in death by son Phil Weinheimer; parents Emil and Otilia Klein; son-in-law Joe Reznicek; sisters Agnes Klein, Rita Klein Burg, Leona Klein Koch, and Adeline Klein Hahn; brothers Lawrence Klein, Paul Klein, Alois Klein, and Clarence J. Klein; mother-in law and father-in-law Herman and Anna Weinheimer; brother-in-laws Werner Koch, Jacob Weinheimer, Tom Weinheimer, Harold Woods and Harvey Garber; and sister-in-laws Hilda (Mrs. Lawrence) Klein and Margaret (Mrs. Jacob) Weinheimer.

Bernice touched many lives with her graciousness, inner strength, elegant beauty, creativeness and warm and loving personality. She only saw the good in her fellow humans and made the best of every situation all while exuding astounding wisdom, objectiveness and gratitude of life.

Of the many gifts she leaves behind, her family and friends will cherish her consummate positive and Christian attitude and devotion to family.

She will be remembered fondly by her family as the angel sent from above.