[Nfbmt] {Disarmed} Bernice W. DeHaas

[Jerry Hutch]

Montana has lost a  great lady.

May the Lord  grant her eternal rest.




Bernice W. DeHaas (nee Carrie Bernice Wallace) passed away serenely on 
April 4, 2013. On April 11, 1925, she was born to Frank E. and Mary 
Marvel Wallace in Benbrook, Texas. Bernice attended Southwestern 
University, from which graduated with a Bachelor's degree -- magna cum 
laude -- in chemistry in 1945. She worked at several laboratories before 
returning to university to pursue her Master's degree at Northwestern 
University 
<http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/northwestern-university/?personid=164072810&affiliateID=1843> 
in Evanston, Ill.

Bernice returned to Texas after she earned her master's in 1949 and 
began working at Texas A&M University 
<http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/texas-am/?personid=164072810&affiliateID=1843> 
in College Station, Texas. There, friends arranged a blind date for her 
with John N. DeHaas, Jr. They were married in December of 1950, starting 
a partnership that lasted more than 60 years. John accepted a one-year 
teaching position at Montana State College (which later became Montana 
State University) in 1951. John accepted a tenure-track teaching 
position at Montana State College the next year. Bernice began working 
as a research chemist for the college. They welcomed a son, Ken, and 
later a daughter, Jocelyn, into their family. For the next ten years, 
Bernice did not work outside the home. She was active in her children's 
education and imparted to them a love of reading and of learning. In 
1969 she returned to work part-time at MSU for Dr. Ken Goering for whom 
she worked for until 1984.

Bernice loved to read and traveling. Family trips included frequent 
trips Texas and Florida to visit relatives, and they traveled twice to 
Europe. After the children were grown, John and Bernice traveled 
extensively visiting friends and relatives in the U.S. as well as going 
to Puerto Rico, Alaska and Taiwan. Bernice was an avid bridge player. 
Her bridge group was started in 1982 and continues today. Bernice was 
also very involved in the United Methodist Church, United Methodist 
Women and Church Women United. In later years, John and Bernice moved 
into the Bozeman Lodge where they made many friends. Bernice was truly 
loved and admired by all who knew her for her kind and loving nature.

Bernice is preceded in death by her husband John, brother Frank Jr., and 
her parents. Surviving her are her son, Ken, and daughter, Jocelyn. She 
also leaves her sister-in-law Toots (Evelyn) Wallace, niece Nancy 
Hollingsworth, nephew Mark Wallace and cousins Nellrene Harting and Mary 
Elizabeth Layne.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at 
Bozeman United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pioneer Museum, 317 
West Main, Bozeman, MT 59715, or the Bozeman Public Library Foundation, 
P.O. Box 242, Bozeman, MT 59771.