MALAD – Berniece Smith Hansen Florke, surrounded by her family, passed away peacefully May 1, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Her unique detailed personality will truly be missed by all.
She was born August 3, 1931, to Chester and Arvilla Blair Smith, homesteaders and ranchers, near Chrystal, Power County, Idaho. For seven years Berniece attended a one-room schoolhouse. The Smith family moved to McCammon, Idaho, in September 1944, where Berniece completed the eighth grade. She graduated from McCammon High School in 1949.
She married Darrel Hansen on Nov. 11, 1948. After graduation, she and Darrel moved to Malad, Idaho, where they raised their family and farmed in Pocatello Valley. She and Darrel were the parents of four children, Sherman (Deanna), Gary (GeNene), Terry (Kathleen), and Gayle (Jon) Henderson. Darrel died on June 13, 1977.
Berniece was a stay-at-home mother until Darrel’s death, at which time she began working at Jones Hardware Co., and then Hess Lumber Co., until July 2006.
She married Gary Florke on June 30, 1984, at Lake Tahoe, Nev. She and Gary enjoyed traveling, antiques and gun shows. Gary died June 28, 2001.
Berniece was a member of the LDS Church. She belonged to the American Legion Auxillary and Eagles Auxillary. She was a four-year board member at the Malad Senior Citizens. She bowled on the Midnite Bowling League for 35 years, attending many state and national tournaments. She played bridge in several local bridge clubs. Berniece enjoyed traveling with her family members, flower gardening, yard work, canning, crossword puzzles, camping, watching sports on TV and “Jeopardy.”
She is survived by her children, 13 grandchildren, Angie (Kent Byington), Chubbuck, Idaho, Robyn (Ryan) Ashcraft, West Haven, Utah, Amie (Jake) Bair, Smithfield, Utah, Christopher (Christina) Hansen, Lisa (Jake) Shuman, Christine (Tyler) Odgen, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Michelle Hansen, Boise, Idaho, Alex Blaisdell, Jessica Henderson, Danielle Henderson, South Ogden, Utah, Dr. Cori (J.D.) Lopez, Spokane, Wash., Lindsi (Gabe) Carmen, Boise, Idaho, Jacki (Brian) John, Pocatello, Idaho; 22 great-grandchildren; her brother, Frank (Lori) Smith, Berkeley, Calif.; and her sister, Catherine Neal, Livermore, Calif.; and her uncles, Fay (Linda) Blair, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Darrel Calhoun, Buhl, Idaho. She was preceded in death by both her spouses, parents, four brothers, Glenn (Coleen) Smith, Pocatello, Idaho, Morgan Smith, Arbon Valley, Idaho, Earl (Brenda) Smith, Grace, Idaho, infant brother, Alvin Smith, and sister, Nancy Harris, Lakewood, Calif.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at noon in the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N., Malad. Friends may visit with the family this evening, May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Wednesday prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the Malad City Cemetery. You may send condolences online to www.horsleyfuneralhome.com.

Published in Idaho State Journal on May 4, 2009.