Bernice Raben

    Bernice Raben, age 90, Martin, S.D., died Saturday, May 30, 2015, at the Philip Nursing Home.
     Bernice B. Wolff was born January 11, 1925, in Crawford, Neb., with her twin brother, Bernard, the children of John and Eva (Britton) Wolff.
    She grew up in Crawford, and graduated from Crawford High School in 1943. After graduation, she worked at the telephone office in Crawford as an operator.
    Bernice was united in marriage to John Raben on May 15, 1946, in Chadron, Neb. To this union were born six children. They made their home in Crawford until moving to the Raben Ranch west of Crawford. They remained at the ranch until moving to Valentine in 1957, where they operated a confectionary. Later, they both worked in a cream station. They moved to Martin in 1960, where they operated a cream station, and later a gas station. In 1969, they moved to Kadoka, where they worked for Bill Weller before moving back to Martin on Bear Creek and worked for Ellis Hicks. There she raised thousands of chickens and worked for Harold’s Motel.
    In 1977, her husband, John, passed away and Bernice moved into Martin. While in town she worked for Hick’s Clothing Store, Karns Department Store and later for the water department for the city of Martin, where she retired in 1990.
    After retirement, Bernice remained in Martin until moving to Philip in 2008, to be closer to her family. The past three years she has resided in the Philip Nursing Home.
    Survivors include six children, Franklin “Dee” (Mary K.) Raben, Detroit, Mich., Johnnie (Michelle) Raben, Post, Texas, Gaynold (Tony) Willoughby, Midland, Tom Raben, Post, Texas, Meredith Pauly (Dave Konst), Rapid City, and Lenny Raben (Jamie Liechti), Black Hawk; 12 grandchildren, Scott (Michele) Raben, Ami (Daniel) Garcia, Jonna (Colton) McNeely, Wesley (Laura Walker) Cvach, Russel (Kim) Cvach, Bradley (Karmell Sharp) Cvach, Gayla (Roger) Schofield, Tavis (Misty Nemec) Pauly, Leandra (Kristopher) Arthur, Ryan Raben, Amanda (Josh) Teeters, and Gabe Raben; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Violet Wolff, Boise, Idaho; a special friend, Harry Pauly, Pierre; and a host of other relatives and friends.
    In addition to her husband, Bernice was preceded in death by a granddaughter, DeAnn Raben; three brothers, Jack, Don and her twin brother, Bernard Wolff; and three sisters, Eunice Smith, Violet “Bobby” Welling and Doris Homrighausen.
    Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 4, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, with Pastor Lauren Ley officiating.
    Music will be provided by Gayla and Tayton Schofield and Wesley Cvach.
    Pallbearers are Bernice’s grandchildren.
    Graveside services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at the Martin Community Cemetery.
    Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
    Her online guestbook is available at www.rushfuneralhome. com