WILSON — Berniece Ruby ( Steinle) Olejniczak was born Jan. 3, 1938, on the family farm in Russell County. The daughter of Sam and Ruth Steinle, Berniece was the eldest of three children. She graduated from Wilson High School and Brown Mackie College in Salina. During her studies at Brown Mackie, she met Edward Olejniczak and the couple married on May 2, 1959. Ed and Berniece shared a happy and loving life together and celebrated 60 years of marriage before Ed’s passing in 2019. Berniece was a business owner and managed a home daycare business. Berniece “Berdie” cared for children and their parents for 40 years.

Berniece was a simple woman—no frills required. She was a seamstress, an incredible talent in the kitchen, and an advisor to many. Her faith directed her life, and with it, she possessed a will that sustained her and her family through the challenges of life. Berniece was known for saying, “We have another mountain to climb,” and she made that climb many times with strength and love. Berdie’s core value was love for her family, friends, and others in the company of her life.

Left to cherish Berniece’s memory are her daughter, Elaine Simmons, and husband, Doug of Great Bend, Kan.; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Elizabeth Ann and Caleb Alexander of Columbia, Mo.; sister Janett Prester of Wilson, Kan., with nephews Kurtis Prester of Russell, Kan., Kevin Prester and wife Angie of Wilson, Kan., and Martin Prester and wife Shannon of Wilson, Kan.; brother Gerald Steinle and wife Sherrill of Wilson, Kan., with nephew Danny Steinle of Lucas, Kan., niece Vickie Lanter of Wilson, Kan., and nephew Matt Steinle and spouse Lana Zajic of Wilson, Kan.; great nieces and nephews, in addition to great-great nieces and nephews, include Mason Prester of Manhattan, Kan., London and Haven Prester of Wilson, Kan., Amanda Steinle of Russell, Kan., Sami and Miki Steinle of Lucas, Kan., Andrea Lanter, husband Michael with children Maddox, Macoy and Violet of Davis, Ill., Scott Lanter of Wilson, Kan., Sarah Lovato and husband Luis with children Lindsay, Paige, and Ellie; and Jenna Lanter and daughter Cricket of Wilson, Kan. Berniece was preceded in death by her husband, Edward J. Olejniczak; daughter Annette Sherrill; son Edward Warren; and parents Sam and Ruth Steinle.

Visitation will be held at the Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Wilson on Friday, June 21st, from 5-8 p.m., with family receiving visitors from 5-7 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 22, at 11 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wilson. Burial will follow at the Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Barton Community College Foundation (Adult Healthcare and Nursing programs) and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 610 24th Street, Wilson, KS 67490.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home 

610 24th Street 

Wilson, KS 67490

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 20, 2024