Bernice Heaverlo

Bernice B. Heaverlo of Yakima, WA, born April 24, 1920, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 2, 2014 at the graceful age of 94. Bernice was the second daughter of Albert and Lydia (Bloemke) Plath, born in Cobden, MN. In 1934 she moved with her family to Yakima. Bernice graduated from Yakima High in 1937. After high school she was employed as a housekeeper for Judge Lloyd Whiel’s family. In the early 1940s Bernice worked in retail sales at the local Five and Dime and Moss Shop. During that time she met Bob just as he was entering his military service in WWII. They corresponded through the war years (those letters now are such treasures). They were married April 27, 1946 at her parents’ home in Yakima. As Bob and Bernice started their life and family together they enjoyed family gatherings and going dancing with their friends. Bernice loved being a homemaker and mother to her three children. There was not a sewing task that she would shy away from and hand crafting gave her much joy and a sense of accomplishment. Her creative artistic ability became her way of giving to those she loved. She loved entertaining and started the Morning Neighborhood coffee circle. She treasured those times and could bake to her heart’s content. She enjoyed flowering gardening and her flowers graced the table often in their home. Retirement found Bernice with Bob traveling in their fifth wheel with Good Sam’s and the Alpenlite Trailer Club. They spent many years traveling and enjoying the company of their friends. Bernice liked entertaining, playing cards and always a good glass of wine with her RV friends. In her later years she enjoyed yard sales and purchasing stuffed animals for the children in the neighborhood for Halloween. It was a great delight for her to see the children’s faces light up making their choices. She is survived by her children, daughter Mary (Glen) Croy, son RL (Missy) Heaverlo and daughter-in-law Paula Heaverlo, all of Yakima, WA; five grandchildren, Jason Heaverlo of Seattle, Katie Heaverlo of Yakima, Jennifer (Albert) Logan of Eagle Point, OR, Brian (Nicole) Croy of Mill Creek, WA, and Robert Heaverlo of Yakima; four great grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Robert Heaverlo, parents Albert and Lydia Plath, son Jesse Heaverlo of Yakima, sisters Sammy Taylor of Minnesota and Delores Town of New Jersey. Our family wishes to give special thanks to Gloria Seward for her devoted loving care of our mother these past years. Thank you also to Apple Creek Adult Care and staff for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Terrace Heights Civic Center, 4011 Commonwealth Road, Yakima, WA 98901, for their Annual Beautification Project. Graveside services are 10 AM Friday, June 6th at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernice Heaverlo, please visit our flower store.