Bernice Ida Smith, 86, of Drake, ND died unexpectedly Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey.

Funeral services will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Drake on Saturday August 5, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.  Fellowship and lunch will follow. Interment will be held at a later.

Bernice was born on May 5, 1937 in Drake, ND.  She was the daughter of Leopold and Charlotte (Lepke) Krueger.  Bernice grew up in Drake and graduated from Drake High School in 1955.  She was once married to Gene Kemper and they had a son, Dale Kemper.  The family lived in Washington and California.  After her divorce she and Dale moved to Drake.  Bernice married Alvin J. "Al" Smith on November 19, 1967, in Drake.  They lived in Drake where she was the bookkeeper at the Drake Pharmacy which was owned by Al and Bernice.  Bernice and Al closed the pharmacy in 1996 and she retired. She and Al enjoyed traveling.

Bernice was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Drake where she continued to be part of the group that sewed many quilts for charitable causes.  She served many years on the church council, the Drake City Council, and the Drake School Board.  Bernice also was involved in the collection of memorabilia for the city Drake and the Drake School history.  She also worked as a co-coordinator at many school reunions.   She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Drake.

Bernice is survived by her husband Al of Drake; son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Sheila Kemper of Gilbert, AZ; three grandchildren, Will, Lauren, and Nolan Kemper; brother, Gordon Krueger of Maple Valley, WA.  Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Glen Krueger; stepfather, Ferdinand Jans.

Arrangements with Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, ND.

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