Bernice Aletha Branstetter of St. James, Missouri was born on September 13, 1927 to Blevie Milton and Ethel May Underwood Lorts, and passed away Saturday, July 20, 2013 in Cuba, Missouri at the age of 85 years.

On March 21, 1948, she was united in marriage to Arthur Quinten Branstetter at the St. James Christian Church. Quinten preceded her in death August 10, 1999.

Bernice Branstetter is survived by son Dennis Branstetter and his wife Karen of St. James; one brother Kenneth (Bud) Lorts of St. James, two grandchildren: Jennifer Pregracke and her husband Brent of Makanda, Illinois and Andrew Branstetter of St. James along with one very special great-granddaughter, Cecelia Pregracke. Sister-In-Law: Glenda Davis and husband Jack of Haughton, LA., along with nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Bernice was a strong loving person who always had a concern for others. Being a farmer's wife, she shared the work of the farm beside her husband Quinten and remained on the farm until the end of her life. She was a faithful lifetime member of the St. James Christian Church. She worked for Hutcheson Ford for 28 years under the leadership of Guy Hutcheson and later she worked for Butch Tucker. Bernice was very involved in starting the Evening Star 4-H and was a leader for over 25 years spending many hours working with children. Bernice was an excellent seamstress manking of her own clothes and many clothes for her granddaughter. Bernice was very active in the community, helping at the St. James Grape and Fall Festival and making her pies for the Golden Age Center. She was the treasurer for the St. James Ambulance Service for many years, and could be seen working at the Jones Funeral Home on Friday mornings.

Services
Bernice Branstetter will lie in state from 5-8 pm Monday July 22, 2013 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James.

Funeral Service for Bernice Branstetter will be conducted at 11:00 am Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at the Jones Funeral Home with Rick Mosher of the Licking Christian Church and Scott Fitch of the St James Christian Church officiating. Pallbearers will be Andrew Branstetter, Steve Lorts, Brian Adams, Mike Tucker, Larry Lorts and Wayne Talbert. Burial will be in the St. James Cemetery next to her husband. Memorial may be given to the St. James Christian Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.