Bernice Theresa Liekhus was born January 30, 1926 on the family farm near Olean to Steve and Elizabeth (Knust) Liekhus. She attended Sacred Heart Academy at Olean and graduated from Howells High School in 1944. On June 19, 1945, Bernice married Arthur J. Kreikemeier at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Olean, and they would have celebrated their 69th anniversary in a few weeks. The couple lived on several farms in the Snyder area, purchased a farm three miles south of Dodge in 1959, and semi-retired and moved into Dodge in 1983.

Bernice was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Altar Society, St. Wenceslaus Prayer Line, and American Legion Auxiliary, holding offices in several of the organizations. She was a 4-H leader for 14 years and a clothing superintendent for the Dodge County Fair for many years. Bernice’s hobbies included sewing and quilting, and she made a quilt for each of her grandchildren and many of her great-grandchildren. She created scrapbooks for each grandchild on their high school graduation, and each Christmas every family member could count on a handmade Christmas ornament. Bernice and Arthur loved to dance, and Bernice greatly enjoyed visiting with family and friends, especially giggling with her sisters.

Arthur Joseph Kreikemeier was born on November 24, 1922 to Lawrence and Theresia (Wordekemper) Kreikemeier on the family farm near Snyder. He attended elementary school at St. Leo’s Catholic School and graduated from Snyder High School in 1940. On June 19, 1945 Arthur married Bernice Liekhus at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Olean. The couple lived on several farms in the Snyder area before purchasing a farm three miles south of Dodge in 1959. In 1983, they semi-retired and moved to Dodge.

Arthur was a member of St Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus and sang for many years in the church choir.  He was a longtime member of the Dodge Chamber of Commerce and Dodge County Cattle Feeders.  He also served on the Federal Land Bank Board for 28 years.  In their retirement, Art and Bernice loved to golf at area courses.  They enjoyed many nights of dancing together and laughed through many evenings playing cards with family and friends.  But probably their favorite times were attending activities of their children and grandchildren…they missed few!  Art had a tremendous love for his country and displayed the United States flag and American eagle with great pride.