It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of BERNICE KIRCHNER, (pronounced Burnis) (nee Kovach), beloved wife of Mr. Jerry Kirchner, after having lost a courageous battle with cancer on Monday, November 22, 2010 at the age of 65 years. Besides her loving husband of 36 years, Jerry, she is survived by her son Barry Ober, step-children Brent, Todd and Jody and their families, sister Elizabeth, aunt Anne Duzs, many nieces, nephews and cousins, many many friends and her ever-loyal dog Misty. She was predeceased by her father, mother, brother Billy (in infancy), sisters Anne and Pearl and uncle Joe. Bernice was raised by Joe and Anne Duzs from the age of 3 on a farm just North of Raymond. Many happy hours were spent on uncle Joe’s shoulders or in a new frilly dress made by aunt Anne. She enjoyed playing with the Holt children and later great days with her friends Marilyn, Lois and Maureen. Bernice graduated from Raymond High School, LCC with her R.N. and many years later she obtained her B.N. from the U of L. She worked at St. Michael’s and Lethbridge Regional Hospitals. Her life was filled with a quest for further education. She managed the stress-test and pacemaker clinics at LRH until she retired. Born a week before Christmas in 1944 in Iron Springs, raised in Raymond, a wonderful summer working in Banff, 9 years in Coaldale and finally to the home she loved and helped to rebuild in Lethbridge. Two trips to Barbados, one to Australia, many many to Maui and many more to Idaho, Arizona, B.C., etc. She made new, everlasting friends wherever she went and loved to travel. Bernice had a way of making great friends of our neighbours. Thanks for being there for her: Di, Marian, Ken and Donna, Carl and Ione, Ruth and Auke, Betty, Joe and Sharlene. Bernice served as a rep. to the AARN as well as six years on the board at LCC. She also served as Sec. of the Lethbridge West PC Assoc. She attended many conferences to learn all she could about stress-testing and pacemakers. She used her medical skills and homeopathic training to help many people with their problems and illnesses. She was a true angel of mercy as her many friends will testify. She wanted to help everyone, but could not help herself to defeat this dreaded disease. She never lost a battle until the last one. After retirement, Bernice wanted to become an artist and with the help of her friend Anne and her will to learn, she turned out many beautiful watercolours. Bernice loved the outdoors, gardening, walking, picnicking with Joe and Carol and camping out with Jan and Neila. She loved fishing, Beavais Lake, the Gap and the Old Man River, looking at Chief Mountain and motor homing. She enjoyed playing canasta with the Kirchner families, long walks in the river bottom, tennis, golf and life, but she was always a nurse first. A Graveside service will be held at MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Barb Roycroft officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held at the ROCKY MOUNTAIN TURF CLUB. 3rd FLOOR, 3401 Parkside Drive South, on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317-10th Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2M7 or to St. Michael’s Foundation, Palliative Care Unit, 1400 - 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4V5. Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca