Bernese L. York, age 102, formerly of Ladora and Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at Brookhaven Nursing Home, Brooklyn following brief illness. Private Family Graveside Services will be held Friday, May 20, 2005. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by a son, Harley and wife Vera of Ladora, two daughters, Kay Shaull and husband Kenneth of Otto, NC, and Aletha Green of Cedar Rapids; 16 grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Lois York of Ladora. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Marjorie Kayrol a son, Edwin and two sisters, Elva Jones and Arlene Wooton.

Bernese Leola Beemer was born March 18, 1903 in Ladora, Iowa, the daughter of Floyd Beemer and Bertha Maudlin Beemer. She received her education in the Ladora schools. Bernese married Richard Dale York and the couple lived in Ladora for many years, where she worked at Wayne Shaull Grocery Store. Dale died January 28, 1948. Following her husband’s death, Bernese moved to Cedar Rapids, where she was employed at SunMart Groceries, in Cedar Rapids and Marion. Since 1997, she has made her home at Brookhaven Nursing home due to failing health.