In Memory Of
Joyce Carol Bernard
1924
2017
Joyce Carol Bernard
November 8, 1924 — July 24, 2017
Joyce C. Bernard, 92, Topeka, KS, formerly of Knoxville, TN passed away Monday, July 24, 2017 at Brewster Place
Joyce was born November 18, 1924 in South Bend, IN, the daughter of James H and Charlotte (Gimple) Larsen.
She graduated from Michigan City High School where she played clarinet in the marching band and symphony. She was offered a music scholarship at the University of Michigan, but thought a music degree would lead to teaching which was not what she wanted to do. Instead, she attended business school.
In 1943 she and her father moved to San Diego, CA to work for her uncle at Convair. Her mother moved later in the year with her brother, Don, after he finished the school year.
Joyce was moved to the top level of secretaries at Convair and worked for the VP, Paul Ferra. At Convair it was said of Joyce that "she typed so fast on the typewriter that she burned out an electric typewriter!"
She and Ted Bernard became acquainted at Convair-General Dynamics and were married April 7, 1962. Joyce brought two teenaged sons, Jim and Greg; and Ted three young children, Jill, Chuck and John, to the marriage. A daughter, Sherri, was born to them.
Not long afterwards, Ted was moved to General Dynamic corporate offices in New York, New York. The family lived in Ocean Port, NJ and Ted commuted. Two years later the family moved again when the corporate headquarters moved to St.Louis. Ted traveled a lot, so Joyce often managed 5 children on her own.
While raising children, she also played a nice game of golf and was an excellent bowler. One morning she called from San Diego to Ted in Groton, Conn at 3:00 am Groton time to tell him she had bowled a 298!
Joyce attended many Presbyterian churches during her many moves. She sang in 8 choirs from San Diego, CA to Knoxville, TN. She was an Elder in 3 churches and a Deacon in 2 churches. Joyce's favorite hobby was counted cross-stitch. She produced many beautiful pieces.
Survivors include her husband, Theodore Bernard, Topeka, KS; sons, James (Teri) Thompson, Folsom, CA, John (Lettitia) Bernard, Topeka, KS; and daughters, Jill (Rob) Donovan, Chicago, IL, Sherri (William) Besancenez, Knoxville, TN, and grandchildren, Jennifer Thompson, Joel Thompson, Megan Thompson, Matthew Bernard, Jacob Bernard, Zachary Bernard, John Andrew Bernard, Stewart (Alicia)Bernard, Cameron Bernard, Michael Besancenez, Christopher Besancenez.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Charles Bernard and Greg Thompson.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2015 at the Brewster Place Chapel, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pat Summit Foundation, 520 W. Summit Hill Dr., Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
Joyce was born November 18, 1924 in South Bend, IN, the daughter of James H and Charlotte (Gimple) Larsen.
She graduated from Michigan City High School where she played clarinet in the marching band and symphony. She was offered a music scholarship at the University of Michigan, but thought a music degree would lead to teaching which was not what she wanted to do. Instead, she attended business school.
In 1943 she and her father moved to San Diego, CA to work for her uncle at Convair. Her mother moved later in the year with her brother, Don, after he finished the school year.
Joyce was moved to the top level of secretaries at Convair and worked for the VP, Paul Ferra. At Convair it was said of Joyce that "she typed so fast on the typewriter that she burned out an electric typewriter!"
She and Ted Bernard became acquainted at Convair-General Dynamics and were married April 7, 1962. Joyce brought two teenaged sons, Jim and Greg; and Ted three young children, Jill, Chuck and John, to the marriage. A daughter, Sherri, was born to them.
Not long afterwards, Ted was moved to General Dynamic corporate offices in New York, New York. The family lived in Ocean Port, NJ and Ted commuted. Two years later the family moved again when the corporate headquarters moved to St.Louis. Ted traveled a lot, so Joyce often managed 5 children on her own.
While raising children, she also played a nice game of golf and was an excellent bowler. One morning she called from San Diego to Ted in Groton, Conn at 3:00 am Groton time to tell him she had bowled a 298!
Joyce attended many Presbyterian churches during her many moves. She sang in 8 choirs from San Diego, CA to Knoxville, TN. She was an Elder in 3 churches and a Deacon in 2 churches. Joyce's favorite hobby was counted cross-stitch. She produced many beautiful pieces.
Survivors include her husband, Theodore Bernard, Topeka, KS; sons, James (Teri) Thompson, Folsom, CA, John (Lettitia) Bernard, Topeka, KS; and daughters, Jill (Rob) Donovan, Chicago, IL, Sherri (William) Besancenez, Knoxville, TN, and grandchildren, Jennifer Thompson, Joel Thompson, Megan Thompson, Matthew Bernard, Jacob Bernard, Zachary Bernard, John Andrew Bernard, Stewart (Alicia)Bernard, Cameron Bernard, Michael Besancenez, Christopher Besancenez.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Charles Bernard and Greg Thompson.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2015 at the Brewster Place Chapel, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pat Summit Foundation, 520 W. Summit Hill Dr., Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Carol Bernard, please visit our flower store.
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