SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Bernice (Lessman) Swarm went to her eternal home on May 29, 2017, at the Scottsbluff Residency Care Center.
Bernice was born on May 8, 1926, to Roy and Anna (Hohl) Brewer in Lingle. She spent her early years on the family farm in the Goshen Hole area of Wyoming. In 1936, the family moved to Torrington, where Bernice completed her education in 1944.
Bernice married Vernon Swarm on January 17, 1945. Together they raised their children, older son, Charles (Chuck) and twins Vernon (Butch) and Vicki on their ranch west of LaGrange, in the Bear Creek Community. While keeping very busy as a ranch wife, Bernice enriched her life with dance, music, and book clubs. She was very active in church and community activities. She was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church. She loved playing her piano by ear. Bernie, as she was known to those who knew her well, loved to entertain and was a fabulous cook. She was pretty famous for many of her recipes including her cinnamon rolls with pink frosting.
After raising the children, Vernon and Bernice moved to Gering, Neb. Bernice was the assistant to the publisher of the Star-Herald for many years. After losing Vernon in 1987, she later married Harry Lessman in 1992.
Bernice is survived by children Chuck (Cheri) Swarm of Torrington, Butch (Ginny) Swarm of Mitchell, Neb., and Vicki (Willie) Quindt of Scottsbluff.
Bernice’s grandchildren are Chuck (Tracy) Swarm of Billings, Mont., Brea (Matthew) Kniss of Lincoln, Neb., Trevor (Shala) Swarm of Cheyenne, Brandon (Christi) Quindt of Elkhorn, Neb., Tyler (Erin) Swarm of Kearney, Neb., Tom (Chelsea) Swarm of Gibbon, Neb.; step-grandchildren Jim (Donna) Anderson, Kris (Mario) Perez, and Jeff (Krystal) Anderson, all of Las Vegas, Nev.
Bernice’s great-grandchildren are Gage and Haydn Swarm, Kaia and Leah Swarm, Perry, Sawyer, and Jude Swarm, Graeson and Jaxton Swarm, Quintin and Claire Kniss, and Chelsea and Brexton Quindt.
Bernice has one living sister, Betty Milner, of Spokane, Wash..
Bernice is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon, five sisters, one brother, and several nieces and nephews.
A private family service has taken place. The family respectfully requests that memorials in Bernice’s honor be made to Prairie Haven Hospice. Tributes of sympathy may be left for the family at www.dugankramer.com.
