Bernice Kathleen “Bernie” Birzer, 93, of Leawood, passed away Monday, May 3, 2021 at Ridge Crest Nursing Center in Warrensburg, Mo.
She was born Aug. 29, 1927 in Great Bend, the daughter of Louis and Elizabeth (Johanning) Birzer. She was the oldest of five children.
Bernice graduated from Hoisington High School, Hoisington in 1945. She earned her bachelor of science degree at Marymount College in Salina. She was employed for 42 years as a medical technologist at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City. She did additional studies at Mayo Clinic in hematology and was highly skilled at detecting blood disorders before computer analysis and later when blood disorders may not be seen with computer analysis.
Bernie was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and later St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., where she sang in the choir for many years. She enjoyed attending daily mass, St. Thomas More Friends, The Red Bridge Social Club, volunteering at Seton Center and playing bingo.
She was a talented seamstress and creatively re-made and updated clothes. She thoroughly enjoyed the theater and frequented Starlight Theatre. She was an avid Royals and Chiefs fan. Bernie loved attending family events and was a big part of her family’s lives, attending every family birthday and family function possible.
Bernice is survived by her sisters Norma Keenan, Victoria; and Marie (Dr. Ed) Robison, Warrensburg, Mo.; as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Harry Birzer, a sister Caroline Hoffman; a brother-in-law Tony Hoffman; a nephew Terry Keenan; and several great-nieces and -nephews.
Per her wishes and because of her passion for medical studies, Bernie’s body has been donated to the Willed Body Program at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Funeral services are pending.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Seton Center or the St. Thomas More Music Ministry and can be left in care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, 617 N. Maguire Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Funeral services will take place at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to www.sweeneyphillipsholdren.com/obituary/bernice-birzer.