Bernice Zeiler
Saturday morning, February 20, Bernice
Zeiler passed from this world into the arms of the Lord to be with
her husband, Solly, her mother, Emily, and her beloved
granddaughter, Darcee.
Bernice was born in Chicago, Illinois, on
March 8, 1922, to Michael and Emily Melcher. She lived in the
Chicago area until she was nine years old when she moved to
Livingston, Montana. She attended primary school and junior
high in Livingston. Bernice then moved to Billings to attend
and graduate from Billings Senior High School. Throughout her
schooling, she maintained high grades, a standard to which she would
hold her own children and their children later in life.
While still in high school, Bernice met the
love of her life, Solly Zeiler. They both loved to dance, have
fun and enjoy many friends. In one another they each found
their perfect match, and they were married on September 7, 1941.
They made their home and raised their two children, Sherry Lynn (Zeiler)
Milburn and Ronald Scott Zeiler in Billings.
Also while still in high school, Bernice
started work with Lew Chevrolet in 1939, where she did all the
filing and billing of the new and used cars. In 1949, she was
asked to be the Office Manager for the dealership, a position she
held until her retirement in 1989. In all, Bernice worked 52
years at the Chevrolet dealership in its transition from Lew
Chevrolet to Frontier Chevrolet to Denny Menholt Chevrolet.
Throughout the evolution of the dealership and through four
different ownerships, Bernice remained the constant for the
business. During her time as office manager, Bernice trained
and supervised many office employees. She leaves behind her a
group of those women who meet and socialize and, to this day, refer
to themselves as the “Chevy Girls.”
Bernice led a very full life. She
loved to travel with her family and with her friends. Besides
having seen much of the USA, she had traveled abroad to many
destinations in Europe, as well as to China, Japan, Turkey, New
Zealand and Australia. In the USA, her favorite destination
was Las Vegas, where she matched skills many players at the Poker
and Pan tables.
Bernice loved to play cards, and she filled
her spare time and her retirement years with as many card games as
possible. She was a “regular” at duplicate bridge games held
at the Elks and Legion, and she played party bridge with numerous
groups. In 2002, she was recognized with a Silver Life Master
Certificate from the American Contract Bridge League.
Bernice also loved to play poker. She
instigated poker games among family and friends throughout her life.
She also played in games throughout Billings where she was
recognized as the “little, quiet lady who could beat the heck” out
of many a lesser player.
Following her retirement, Bernice became a
volunteer and a member of SCORE/SBA. She volunteered many
hours in the Billings Clinic gift shop and pharmacy, in the SCORE
office, and, for some time, at the Custer National Forest where her
daughter was employed. Throughout her career, she played a
large role in supporting women in business and was the last
surviving Charter Member of the Billings Chapter of the American
Business Women’s Association.
In addition to playing cards, Bernice
enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies, from cross-stitch to reading to,
most recently, painting. In the past four years, she had taken
up painting with her daughter and had sold her artwork through eBay.
She always said she didn’t have a creative bone in her body, but
pieces of her art and crafts are evident in the homes of her
children and friends.
Throughout her life, making and nurturing
friendships was a high priority for Bernice. She loved people,
and her friendships were deep and enduring. She never forgot a
birthday or an anniversary, never let a “thank you” slip by, and
always delighted in finding just the right little gifts for her
friends.
Most important to Bernice was her family.
Her children, grandchildren and great-grand children came first and
foremost in her life. She was mother, life-coach, cheerleader,
friend, partner, and confidant to her daughter and son throughout
their lives. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she
was the best grandparent they ever could have had. Whether it
was a school play or concert, a dance recital, a basketball game in
Dillon or Shepherd, a baseball game in Helena, a tournament in
Butte, a Little League game in Lockwood, or any other event where
one of her family was involved, she was there to support and cheer
on her family whenever possible. She was the one constant in
our lives, and she will be missed more than words can tell.
Bernice was preceded in death by her
husband, Solly, her mother and father, and her granddaughter Darcee.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Michael) Milburn, of
Billings and her son, Ronald (Susan) Zeiler of Helena.
Surviving grandchildren are Regan (Valeri) Milburn and Jason (Toni)
Milburn, and great-grandchildren Zachary, Arielle, Lliana, and
Arwynn, all of Billings, and grandchildren Darin (Elisa Poole)
Zeiler, and Kara (Casey) Connors and great-grandchildren Austin,
Kylee, Sophia and Daniel.
Mother, you were our anchor, our
inspiration, our mentor and our dearest friend. We will always
have you in our hearts.
Visitation will begin 1pm Tuesday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral services will be 2pm Wednesday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church with interment to follow at Mountview Cemetery.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Bernice hired me to work for her in June 1979. I worked for her until her retirement in 1989. She was a very special lady who taught me much of what I still use today. I am still employed by one of Denny's dealerships in Medford, Oregon. I think of her often as I am working and wonder "What would Bernice do?"
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Kaul
Bernice was definitely one of my favorites at duplicate bridge, always very pleasant to me while being a fierce competitor. Bernice also joined us in some home poker games and was one of the female breakthroughs in an annual Omaha poker tournament the last couple of years. She was a great gal and she'll be missed.
Tom Romine
Dear Ron and Susan,
Steve and I are sorry to read of your Mom's passing. Just reading about her...she was quite a woman. We hope all your memories will be a comfort to you and all your family.
With Sincerity, Steve and Joan Pallister
I have many fond memories of Bernice and her family while growing up. As a pre-schooler, I often ran away to her home to hide when I didn't want to go to Church - of course my parents knew where I was and always trusted I was in good hands. Her home was always a place for fun and games to share with her daughter, Sherry. My life was enriched because she was there. More recently it was always a pleasure to find her at the dealership when she had to have any service on a car. My thoughts and prayers go to her family at this time.
Diane Gale
Sharry, Ron, and families:
We were so sorry to hear of the recent passing of Aunt Bernice. Had I known that she was a poker player, I would have taken her on in a game or two. I dealt table games at a local Indian Casino and would have loved to take her coins. It has been a while since we were in Montana and saw most of the family that still resides there, but I have very fond memories of her and of Uncle Solly too. Our mother lives with us now and is getting along pretty good considering she has heart problems. Our deepest sympathies are extended to you and yours. Aunt Bernice is in a better place now and has reunited with Uncle Solly, Grandma & Grandpa Zeiler, her granddaughter Darci, and all the other relatives that have passed away. God bless you both and your families.
Cousin Richard L. & La Donna Behm of Riverside, California.
On behalf of Yamileth and her staff at the Queen of Hearts Card Room, we were saddened to hear of Bea's passing. Bea or BB as some called her was a wonderful and lovely lady to have in our card room and of course she was a member of our VIP Club. I would always remark to her on how nice she always dressed. Yes she was spot on all the time. One of the staff would always walk her out to her car when she left. She loved to play in both of our games we offered, Hold'em and High - Low Split. Make no mistake she knew both games very well. I always enjoyed bringing her favorite drink to her, diet 7-up Shirley Temple with extra cherries. She touched many in our little poker community and I am sure will be remembered by many.
Sincerely, David Whitmore.
Bernice was a great mentor to me. She hired me at Frontier Chevrolet when I was just out of High School. I learned a great deal from her during my time of employment with Frontier Chevrolet. This was my very first job that I held. I was grateful for the opportunity she gave me and for the learning experience I gained during my time of employment. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time. You will be greatly missed by all.
Jan Uffelman