Florence "Berniece" Pettinger, 90, of Burlington, died Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at her home surrounded by family.
Born May 13, 1932, in Gladstone, Ill., the oldest daughter of Sam and Esteline Stevenson. She attended and graduated from Biggsville High School. She attended Western Illinois University where she met and married Wayne Pettinger on May 4, 1952, and moved to Lanark, Ill. She raised her family in Belvidere, Ill., and survived the April 1967 tornado. She moved back to Gladstone, Ill. in 1997 to be near her family. Along with her daughter, Sue, and sister, Angeline, in 2001, bought a house in Dunnellon, Fla. for the snowbird life and eventually (2010) bought a house on her own in Leesburg, Fla. She returned back home in 2017 longing to be near her brother and sisters again.
Berniece embraced a strong work ethic and held many diverse jobs throughout her lifetime. From office manager to technical engineering to casino teller, she liked knowing how things worked, and that curiosity gave her delight in lifelong learning.
Everyone thinks they have the perfect mother, but we really did. Just seeing her beautiful face and hearing her voice, you knew you were "home" and "safe". She left an indelible handprint on our hearts and we will miss her for the rest of our lives.
She will be missed by many, including her children, Susan Bjork of Midlothian, Ill., Patti (Rick) Douglas of Sterling, Ill. and Steve (Karen) Pettinger of St. Joseph, Mich.; grandchildren, Eric (Sarah) Douglas of Clinton, Ill. and Kate (Derek) Niewind of Bonaire, Ga.; four great-granddaughters, Adley and Harper Niewind and Lily and Delilah Douglas; her sisters, Marie Meeker of Mediapolis and Angeline Anderson of Gladstone, Ill.; three sisters-in-law, Nancy Stevenson of Gladstone, Ill., Kay Stevenson of Oquawka, Ill., Dolores Stevenson of Burlington, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Besides her husband, Wayne Pettingers, she was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, Robert Louis Stevenson, J.R. Stevenson, Sam Stevenson, Bill Stevenson, Wendall Stevenson, brother-in-law, Crafton Meeker and sisters-in-law, Vernadine and Bernita Stevenson.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
The Graveside Committal Service for Mrs. Pettinger will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Carman Cemetery.
Thanks to Hospice of Burlington for all their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice or the Henderson County Library.