Berneice Luree Picha was born October 28, 1927 in Rosalie to Louis and Edna (Kuester) Picha and was the first baby baptized at the newly-built St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beemer. She was confirmed April 6, 1941 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in West Point, and graduated from West Point High School in 1945. On June 4, 1946, Berneice married Donnelly V. 'Pinky' Peterson at St. Paul Lutheran Church. During the early years, Berneice worked at the West Point Sale Barn, and in 2002 she retired as Assistant Vice President after 40 years at Farmers & Merchants Bank. She moved off the farm into West Point in November 2007. Berneice was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid where she held several offices, and served faithfully on various committees. Berneice volunteered for American Heart Association for ten years, as a bingo caller at St. Joseph’s Retirement Community, and was active at Sunshine Senior Center. Survivors include her son Terry (Nancy) Peterson of West Point; daughter Connie (Jerry) Barnett of Lincoln; grandchildren Jenny (Chris) Jolley, Chris (Emily) Peterson, Kathryn Peterson, Bryce (Brenda) Barnett, and Barry (Janis) Barnett; and seven great-grandchildren. Berneice was preceded in death by her parents; husband Donnelly on December 31, 1987; sisters Maxine Lofgren, Nyla Batenhorst, and Lois Burger; and brother Richard Picha.