Bernice Kathryn Brighton, 93, formerly of Williams, passed away on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny. She was born January 28, 1928 to Frank and Margaret (Maubach) Smith of Blairsburg, Iowa. She was 93 years old.
Bernice grew up on the family farm and graduated from Blairsburg High School in 1945. She was united in marriage to Harold Brighton on April 9, 1947 and they had six children. In 1968, they moved to Ankeny. Bernice was the first woman bus driver for the Ankeny School System; being taught by her husband who served as the bus mechanic for the district. In later years, she worked for Heartland Media System in Ankeny as a media van driver.
Bernice was a member of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny and maintained strong ties to St, Mary’s Parish in Williams. She especially liked watching NASCAR, horse racing, baseball games, and tennis matches. She enjoyed yard work and gardening and was known for her rhubarb pies, peach upside cake and canned homemade pickles. She was always up for playing a game of Bingo or Yahtzee.
Bernice is survived by her daughter Margaret (Curt) McJunkin of North Richland Hills, Texas; sons John (Ann) and Steve of Des Moines; and daughter-in-law Kristina (Bill) of Ankeny. She is also survived by two brothers, Robert (Arliss) of Ellsworth and Harold (Cecilia) of Dunlap, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, two daughters Veronica and Rosemary, son Bill and daughter-in-law Carla Howser.
Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 15 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Williams with burial in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:30 until the start of service at church. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Surls Funeral Home in Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations go to the Alzheimer’s Society or the American Cancer Society.
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