Bernice A. Maness (93) of Omaha, Nebraska (formerly Sycamore, Illinois) passed away on September 4, 2024.

Bernice was born in Genoa, Illinois on June 17, 1931 to Emma and Henry Becker. After Henry's death, Bernice, her mother, and sister, Irene, lived upstairs in her grandfather's farmhouse and attended school in Genoa. She learned how to drive the tractor at a young age and fed the chickens on the farm. All her life, Bernice loved her tractors and could often be seen driving her "Johnny Tractor" in Sycamore parades and DeKalb Steam and Power Show.

Bernice married Clarence "Pug" Maness on July 26, 1952. Together, they started Kishwaukee Kamper Sales in Sycamore, where they sold campers for 30 years from 1964-1994.

Bernice worked for the Department of Children and Family Services, and raised three foster sons with her husband. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren, but always joked that she would take any two of them at a time, but not all five of them together. That was too much! Her great-grandchildren brought the biggest smile on her face.

After the death of her husband, Bernice became engaged to Erv Panzer. They spent much of their time working on Erv's farm, caring for his brother, Leonard, and serving together at St. John Lutheran Church in Sycamore, where she was a longtime member.

Bernice fought for the preservation of North Grove School, an historic one-room schoolhouse in Sycamore, IL until she moved to Omaha to spend her last years near family.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence "Pug"; foster son, Dwayne Story; sister, Irene; fiancé, Erv; mother, Emma; and father, Henry.

Bernice is survived by her daughter, Chris (Walt) Anderson, and son, Ron (Kimberly) Maness and foster son, Jim Story, grandsons Scott (Tracy) Anderson, Mark (Kayla) Anderson, Dave (Lindsay) Anderson, Tim (Jean) Maness, Ryan (Virgie) Maness, and Justin Story, plus six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be accorded at St. John's Lutheran Church, 26555 Brickville Road in Sycamore, IL on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM with burial services at Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore following with Reverend Timothy Frick officiating.    There will be a visitation from  9:00 - 10:00 AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the youth education funds at Grace Hill and Living Water Lutheran Churches in Omaha, NE.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.butalafuneralhomes.com