Bernice Iverson

Longtime Libby resident Bernice (Nikki) Iverson, 99, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, at Libby Care Center, where she had lived since 1994.

Bernice Amelia Nicholas was born in Addy, Wash., on Dec. 9, 1907. Her parents, Art and Clara Jane Miller, had a small homestead on a hill above Addy. Her birth father was Edwin R. Nicholas.

She graduated from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane and received her registered nurse's certificate in 1933 after which she worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane. In 1945 she came to Libby for a "temporary" nursing job at the hospital for Dr. James Cairns and never left, saying she really liked the water here.

Bernice met Alan M. Iverson in Libby and they were married. After she completed her nursing career, she worked with her husband in Al's Meat Market on Second Street for many years. Bernice was always quick to credit her husband for his business and butchering skills. She might have considered herself the better fisherman though, which was one of her favorite pastimes.

The couple enjoyed living on their small horse ranch on Pipe Creek and shared many fishing expeditions over the years before Al's death in 1969.

Bernice was an avid pinochle player and a member of a local card club as well as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Bernice was also a longtime member of Faith Bible Church.

Having no children of her own, she will be missed by her many nieces and nephews and her dear friend Shirley Snyder.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment services will follow at the City of Libby Cemetery.

The family suggests a memorial may be made to the Libby Care Center.