Bernice Aker

Life long resident of Whatcom County Bernice Aker passed away peacefully at Mt. Baker Care Center three days shy of her 99th birthday. Bernice was born to Albert and Anna Megard of Laurel and lived in Whatcom County her entire life. She walked a mile to Meridian School where she excelled academically. She started with the class of 1933. After spending three weeks in the 5th grade, she was advanced to the 6th grade and graduated valedictorian of the class of 1932; this while taking mostly math and science courses in high school. Bernice was the only girl in her calculus class which was taught every other year. At graduation she received an award for perfect attendance from her first day of school until graduation. In 1934, she married her one love, Jack Aker, and moved to West Wiser Lake Road. They lived on half of the farm that was homesteaded by her father-in-law, Knute B. Aker in 1886 (three years before statehood). It is one of the only parcels of land in Whatcom County that has never changed hands for money. This is where they raised their six children and dairy farmed from 1934 to 1972. After that they raised alfalfa and rented the rest of their land for crops. Their second farm has been rented for years to Curt Mayberry Farms for strawberries and raspberries. They were actively involved in Whatcom County and Washington State soil conservation for twenty years. Bernice was president of the Washington State Ladies Auxiliary for one term. In retirement they enjoyed fishing trips with friends to lakes in Canada, and attending Meridian High School boys and girls basketball games. They also enjoyed spending time at their lot at Sandy Point crabbing and picnicking with family. She made her first trip to Norway with Jack and her second trip with daughter Annette. She loved spending time with her family and working in her flower garden. Working with flowers was her therapy. She made so many trips to Van Wingerden Nursery with her daughter Jan and niece Patty that Van Wingerdens’s gave her a party on her 92nd birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jack; grandson Steve Schenck; great-grandson John Schenck; great-great-grandson Klaus Thompson; brothers Alvin and Lewis Megard; sister Agnes Nelson and her twin sister May Eveleyn. She is survived by her six children: Jackie Rick (Dale), K.B. Aker (Janene), Jan Vander Stoep (Rick) all of Ferndale, Judy Paur of Bellingham, Annette Schenck (Dale) of Seattle, Denny Aker (Sue) of Shoreline, and a very special niece, Patty Hoff (Dan) of Bellingham. She also leaves 19 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren (one on the way), and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank Peggy Wagner, Mary Martinez, Shana Lewis, Kathy Petrie, and Kris Fullner for the care they gave to mom at home and to the staff at Mt. Baker Care Center for their care the last 15 months of mom’s life. You may share your thoughts and memories of Bernice in the online guest book at www.farewelltributes.com. Farewell Tribute Information A memorial service will be held in her honor Saturday, January 18th, at 1:00pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bellingham. Donations Information Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Bernice Aker

January 12, 1915 - January 9, 2014