Obituary of Bessie B. Koebernick

Bessie B. Koebernick, 92, of Mt. Arlington, New Jersey, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, April 24, 2015, after a lengthy illness. Bessie B. Koebernick was born on July 5, 1922, to Philip J. Bruns and Sigrid Nicolina Nelson Bruns in Ortonville, Minnesota. Raised in Ortonville, she was the oldest of four daughters. She was a life-long Lutheran. As a child she attended church in Ortonville, later in North Effington Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. She later became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas. She married Chester A. Koebernick in 1943 and lived on the Koebernick family farm in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, for several years. She graduated from junior college and was very proud of the fact that she taught school in a one-room school house in the early years of her marriage. Her transportation back and forth to school was on horseback. She and Chester had two children. Their son Douglas was born in Alexandria, Minnesota. In 1953, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas. It was there that their daughter, Rebecca Ann was born. Bessie worked with the Army Corp of Engineers as an accountant/cost analyst until her retirement. Her career with the Corp of Engineers led to her to live in Italy and Saudi Arabia. It enabled her to travel to many places around the world. As a result, she saw first-hand and had a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of cultures around the world. The years prior to her retirement were spent working at the Pentagon. Bessie loved to knit, crochet and cross-stitch. Many of her cross-stitch pieces decorate the walls of her home as well as those of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made countless afghans, baby blankets, sweaters and hats for all the members of her family as well as for her friends. All of these will serve as reminders of her creative gift, and love for her family. She was a very independent, strong woman. She loved her family and was so proud of their accomplishments. Her husband, Chester A. Koebernick, died in 1973. Her daughter Rebecca A. Koebernick Caine also predeceased her 2011. She is survived by her son Douglas A. Koebernick and daughter-in-law Cindy of College Station, Texas, grandchildren, Clay Koebernick of Houston, Texas, Brandon Koebernick and his wife Jenny of Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia, Brian Caine of Denville, New Jersey, Mathew Caine of Buffalo, New York, and son-in-law Tom Caine of Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren – Cade Koebernick of Houston, Texas, Olive and Iris Koebernick of Narrabri, New South Wales, her three sisters, Bonnie Rothe, Bernita Forestner and Barbara Sorlien as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church on Boonville Road in Bryan, Texas.