Bernice Elma Plaehn

Bernice Elma Plaehn of Bay City, Michigan passed away at Brian’s House in Essexville surrounded by loved ones on July 29, 2023 at the age of 87. Bernice was born on April 30, 1936 at home in Ray Township, Michigan, the only daughter of Reuben and Elma (nee Puffpaff) Schroeder. On June 20, 1959, Bernice married her college sweetheart Albert Plaehn. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Bay City. She was active in the choir, the Ladies Guild, and Vacation Bible School. Bernice was a teacher for 30 years, many of those spent in the Bangor Township school system. After retirement, Bernice continued her passion for teaching by working with adults learning to read as part of the Literacy Council of Bay County. She enjoyed performing in the Bay Chorale and The Recyclables Senior Readers Theater. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.
Bernice is survived by her husband of 64 years, Albert; daughters, Ruth (Walter) Lehenbauer, Elizabeth (Edward) O’Meara, Claudia Weesner, and son, William (Marla) Plaehn; grandchildren, Ethan, Megan, Katelyn, and Aidan; bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren, Melissa, Deanna, Shayne, Lorelai, and Corey; sisters-in-law, Janet Schroeder and Patricia Sowell; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; brother, Clifford; sister-in-law, Ann Greenman; brother-in-law, Leon Sowell and niece, Debra Greenman.
Her family would like to give heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, Jaelynn and Amanda and the caring staff at Brian’s House-Hospice.
Funeral service for Bernice will take place on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. Officiating will be Pastor Walter Lehenbauer. Interment at McDowell Cemetery in South Haven, Michigan will take place at a later date. The family will be present to receive visitors on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home and also on Thursday at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be given to Faith Lutheran Church, 3033 Wilder Road, Bay City, Michigan 48706.