Berniece Ruby (Steinle) Olejniczak (1938-2024)
Berniece Ruby (Steinle) Olejniczak passed away on June 18, 2024, at Medicalodges, Great Bend, Kan. She was born Jan. 3, 1938, on the family farm in Russell County. The daughter of Sam and Ruth Steinle, Berniece was the eldest of three children. She graduated from Wilson High School and Brown Mackie College in Salina.
During her studies at Brown Mackie, she met Edward Olejniczak and the couple married on May 2, 1959. Ed and Berniece shared a happy and loving life together and celebrated 60 years of marriage before Ed’s passing in 2019. Berniece was a business owner and managed a home day care business. Berniece “Berdie” cared for children and their parents for 40 years.
Berniece was a simple woman — no frills required. She was a seamstress, an incredible talent in the kitchen and an advisor to many. Her faith directed her life, and with it, she possessed a will that sustained she and her family through the challenges of life. Berniece was known for saying, “We have another mountain to climb,’’ and she made that climb many times with strength and love. Berdie’s core value was love for her family, friends and others in the company of her life.
Left to cherish Berniece’s memory are her daughter, Elaine Simmons (Doug), Great Bend, Kan.; granddaughter and grandson-in-law Elizabeth Ann and Caleb Alexander, Columbia, Mo.; sister Janett Prester, Wilson, Kan., with nephews Kurtis Prester, Russell, Kan., Kevin Prester (Angie), Wilson and Martin Prester (Shannon), Wilson; brother Gerald Steinle (Sherrill), Wilson, with nephew Danny Steinle, Lucas, Kan., niece Vickie Lanter, Wilson and nephew Matt Steinle (Lana Zajic), Wilson. Great-nieces and nephews, in addition to great-great nieces and nephews, include Mason Prester, Manhattan, Kan.; London and Haven Prester, Wilson; Amanda Steinle, Russell; Sami and Miki Steinle, Lucas; Andrea Lanter (Michael) and children Maddox, Macoy and Violet, Davis, Ill.; Scott Lanter, Wilson; Sarah Lovato (Luis) and children Lindsay, Paige and Ellie, Galva, Kan.; and Jenna Lanter and daughter Cricket, Wilson.
Berniece was preceded in death by her husband Edward J. Olejniczak, daughter Annette Sherrill, son Edward Warren and parents Sam and Ruth Steinle.
A funeral service was held Saturday, June 22, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wilson. Burial followed at the Wilson City Cemetery. Visitation was held Friday from 5-8 p.m. with family receiving visitors from 5-7 p.m. and prayer service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home in Wilson.
Memorials are suggested to Barton Community College Foundation (adult health care and nursing programs) and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 610 24th St., Wilson, KS 67490.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.