Bernice Church

Bernice "Ben" Church moved on to her next big adventure on Sunday evening, December 11, 2011. She was born to Paul G. and Cecelia Dawkins October 7, 1922 in Eastlake, Colorado. She grew up on the family farm in Broomfield, Co. and graduated from Arvada High School in 1941. World War 2 had started and Bernice journeyed to Long Beach, California to work as a civilian employee of the Navy until the War's end when she returned to Colorado. A job at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado introduced her to Matthew Knezevich. They were married in February of 1950 and settled in Fort Collins, Colorado. They brought their daughter, Paula, into the world in July of 1951. Marriages sometimes are temporary and Bernice and Matt moved on separately. Bernice continued to live in Fort Collins working for Forney Industries, the Larimer County Sheriff and the Larimer County District Court. She then moved to Brighton, Colorado to work in the Adams County District Attorney's office. In October of 1971 Bernice married Neal Church in Loveland, Co. They later divorced. Her retirement in 1985 brought her back to Fort Collins where she became a fixture, roaming from her home at the DMA Plaza to shop frequently downtown and taking daily four mile walks with her daughter. Bernice spent her final years at Collinwood Assisted Living and, finally, at Columbine West Nursing Facility where she confided to her daughter "that she loved everyone and they all love me!" Bernice is survived by her daughter, Paula Busch Bill; sister, Mae Bashor of Yarnell, Arizona; brothers, Paul D. Dawkins of Denver, Donald Dawkins of Brighton and Lee Dawkins of Greeley; two grandchildren, Jamie Meyer of Surprise, Arizona and Todd Meyer of Colorado Springs and three great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Dr. Susan Klingner and the loving and caring staffs of Columbine West and Pathways Hospice that made Ben's final months so happy and comfortable. A Memorial Service will be held at Bohlender Funeral Home, 121 W. Olive St., in Fort Collins on Saturday, December 17, 2011, 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions to Pathways Hospice are appreciated.