August 19, 1936 - December 4, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
It's with great sadness we announce the passing of Bernice Mary Heinzelman at the age of 87 years old. She passed away peacefully on December 4, 2023 with her family by her side at her home where she resided since 1960. Bernice was the first born of eight children to Albert and Margaret (Zimmerman) Bunz on August 19, 1936 in Kelvington, Saskatchewan. She homesteaded with her family at Greenwater Lake and Archerwill, Saskatchewan, until 1952.
In 1952, Bernice and her family moved to Quesnel for employment opportunities for the growing family. She graduated from Quesnel Secondary School in 1955 and went to university originally for nursing and then teaching. She attended the University of British Columbia through which she received her teaching degree. In Quesnel, Bernice met her husband, Elmer (Shorty) Anthony Heinzelman.
On April 18, 1960, Bernice and Elmer married and were together almost 40 years until his passing in February 1999.
Bernice began her teaching profession at Alexandria Elementary School with her sister, Della. Then over a span of approximately 32 years of being a teacher and primarily a principal, she moved on to Pinecrest Elementary, Richbar Elementary, Riverview Elementary and West Fraser Elementary. T
hroughout her years working in the Quesnel School District, Bernice built a lifetime of relationships and was very well respected and loved by her students, parents and colleagues. After retiring from education she went on to a business venture opening a health food store in Enderby, B.C., for several years.
Bernice will be greatly missed by her family. She is survived by her children, Bruce Thompson (Lois), Al Heinzelman, Shauna Vaupel (Garth), and Kim Heinzelman (Tania), her grandchildren, Anthony Miller, Garret Vaupel (Bettina), James Vaupel, and Jackson Heinzelman, her great-grandchildren, Ryan, Elsie, and Emmet Vaupel, her siblings Norman Bunz (Billy), Della Lewis (Brian), Lorne Bunz, Debbie Daniel (Joe), and Terry Bunz (Barb) and many nieces and nephews and other members of her extended family.
She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Margaret Bunz, her husband, Elmer Heinzelman, her brother, Maurice Bunz, her sister, Loyola (Bunz) Elliot, and her grand-daughter, Megan Vaupel.
In between completing her education, working and raising a family, Bernice was a consummate volunteer. She devoted her time and considerable talents unselfishly to many organizations. In 2013, Bernice received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award which is one of the most prestigious awards given by the Rotary Club.
She volunteered for the following organizations including many others: Quesnel and District Community Arts Council, Interior Regional Arts Council, Quesnel Theatre Action Group, Friends of the Library Society, Climate Change Action Group, Quesnel Multicultural Society, South Quesnel Business Association, Quesnel Family Day, Quesnel Community Futures, and the Multicentre Fundraising Committee.
In Bernice's words, volunteering builds community spirit and vision so get out and volunteer!
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers for their wonderful care and support given to Mom and her family. The family would also like to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts they have sent through cards, letters, flowers and food. The family will be looking into creating education bursaries in her honour.
As requested by Bernice, there will not be a service.