Bernice Naef

Bernice Richman Naef

September 8, 1931 ~ May 2, 2017

Mom was born in Cornish, Utah, in the family home on September 8, 1931.  She grew up in Cornish and prowled around the greater Cache Valley for most of her adolescent life, graduating at 16 from North Cache High School in 1948.  She attended Utah State University in Logan Utah before moving to Ogden.

She met Donald Roy Naef at a Weber College basketball game.  They were married in Elko Nevada on July 18, 1953.

Don and Bernice were married for 35 happy, good, long years before Dad’s passing in August of 1988.  Their only daughter, Karen Anne Naef joined the family in September of 1955.

Mom was a lifelong Utah resident and despite her best efforts to turn Utah into a Blue State, she failed but always had faith in those Non-republicans left behind to carry on a winnable battle for Truth, Love, and the Logical Way.

In her professional life, Bernice had 30+ years as a civil servant and G.S. 11, contracting officer for the United States Air Force, located at Hill Air Force Base in Clearfield, Utah.  She loved her job and loved riding to work and home from work with Don, who was also a civil servant for the Air Force.

Bernice and Don had similar interests and enjoyed several outdoor activities together; fishing in Big Piney, WY; Golfing at Patio Springs Country Club or Ogden Golf and Country Club or Star Valley, WY or several golf courses in Mexico.  Wherever there was a golf course the two of them would love to tee-off.

Bernice and Don also loved to play tennis at Mt. Ogden Racquet Club in the 1970’s; bowling in leagues through the mid 1980’s; water skiing at Lake Mead early in their marriage and skiing Park City in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  There was always an outdoor and sports related outing planned and if not outdoors both were avid readers of literature, or interested in politics and current affairs around the world.

Mom and Dad were nearly inseparable and after Dad’s passing in 1988, Mom though she thought of herself as a totally independent woman, was not.  The fact that her life and soul mate was gone had a deep and profound effect on her and she never totally recovered from losing Dad.  She never enjoyed life as much or doing anything as much without Dad.  Bernice and Don were honest, kind, respectful people, role models for their progeny and others around them.

Mom adored and doted on her grandson Ryan, she was the epitome of grandma-ness and clearly enjoyed spoiling her grandkids in any-which-way possible.  Mom was selfless, helping others in need, quietly and anonymously.  She adopted and included solo souls during holidays and celebrations when they were far from home or in need of a family to be with during any holiday.

Bernice is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Karen & Kim Wardle; grandsons, L. Ryan (Tina) Housley, Chris S. (Jordan) Wardle, Andrew J. (Alissa) Wardle, and Brad B. (Kyriea) Wardle; granddaughter, Wendi (Paul) Whitchurch; brothers, Boyd (Helen) Richman, Lavar (Sharon) Richman, and Glenn M. (Barbara) Richman; and sister, Patricia Harris.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; brother, Thayne; sister, Loretta; and parents, Roy and Flora Richman.

Mom – all is as it should be, tell Dad Hello, try not to beat him too badly on the golf course, smile and know that you will always be loved, never forgotten, often remembered, and still inspire giggles at your antics and wonderful sense of humor.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with family on Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.