Berniece Ruby (Steinle) Olejniczak

Berniece Ruby (Steinle) Olejniczak, passed away on June 18, 2024, at the Medicalodges in Great Bend, KS. She was born on January 3, 1938, on the family farm in Russell County during a snowstorm. The daughter of Sam and Ruth Steinle, Berniece was the eldest of three children. She graduated from Wilson High School and Brown Mackie College in Salina. During her studies at Brown Mackie, she met Edward Olejniczak, a good-looking, tall Airman from New York. It was love at first sight for Berniece, and she made sure she was Ed's choice despite his eyes for Berniece's roommate. The couple married on May 2, 1959, during a simple and unrehearsed ceremony performed by the Justice of the Peace.

In 1965, Ed and Berniece moved to Wilson to operate a Texaco station until the construction of Lake Wilson called Ed to try the bait & grocery business. The couple purchased a piece of ground from the Kuck Estate, and they built and managed Ed's Bait & Grocery from 1972 to 1975. Serving as entrepreneurs for 10 years, Ed and Berniece moved back to Wilson, and while Ed worked for the City of Wilson and Wilson High School, Berniece remained a business owner and managed a home daycare business. Berniece "Berdie" cared for children and their parents for 40 years.

Ed and Berniece shared a happy and loving life together and celebrated 60 years of marriage before Ed's passing in 2019. One of their greatest joys was the birth of their daughter, Elaine Ruth, on May 1, 1962. Their greatest sorrows were the loss of their firstborn, Annette Sherrill, who was stillborn on June 15, 1960, and another child, Warren Edward, who was lost to a miscarriage in November 1963. Ed and Berniece gained a son on October 6, 1984, when Elaine married Doug Allen Simmons. Another great joy occurred early in the morning of October 13, 1989, when Ed and Berniece learned their first and only grandchild was born. Elizabeth Ann captured Grandpa and Grandma "Os" hearts from the beginning. The couple gained a grandson-in-law on September 2, 2017, when Elizabeth married Caleb Bennett Alexander.

Berniece was a simple woman—no frills required. A seamstress, she made all her own clothes and Elaine's through her college years. She also sewed the majority of Elizabeth's wardrobe during her early childhood days. Berniece was an avid reader, and in recent years, she enjoyed Word Search puzzles and Wheel of Fortune.

A talent in the kitchen, many looked forward to Berniece's "goodie baskets," birthday cakes, potluck and holiday contributions, and incredible homemade meals. Apple pie and white cake were her signature creations! And Berniece's Beef Stew was the highlight of the winter months!!

Berniece's faith directed her life, and with it, she possessed a will that sustained her and her family through the challenges of life. Berniece was known for saying, "We have another mountain to climb,'' and she made that climb many times with strength and love. Berdie's core value was love for her family, friends, and others in the company of her life. While not an official teacher, Berniece was often seated at the kitchen table with someone with whom she felt her guidance and experiences would benefit. She was a caregiver in all aspects of her life and shared rich teachings on how to live a good life to all who would listen. Even during her time at the nursing home, Berniece touched the lives of staff members who came to enjoy her stories and life nudges.

In a world that needs leadership, grit, and grace, you didn't have to look any further than Berniece. How she lived her life is a roadmap for the ages. If you were a recipient of Berdie's kindness, care, and love, you understood the impact she had on this world and your life.

Left to cherish Berniece's memory is her daughter, Elaine Simmons, and husband, Doug of Great Bend, KS; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Elizabeth Ann and Caleb Alexander of Columbia, Missouri; sister, Janett Prester of Wilson, KS, with nephews Kurtis Prester of Russell, KS, Kevin Prester and wife Angie of Wilson, KS, and Martin Prester and wife Shannon of Wilson, Kansas; brother Gerald Steinle and wife Sherrill of Wilson, KS, with nephew Danny Steinle of Lucas, KS, niece Vickie Lanter of Wilson, KS, and nephew Matt Steinle and spouse Lana Zajic of Wilson, KS; great nieces and nephews, in addition to great-great nieces and nephews, include Mason Prester of Manhattan, KS, London and Haven Prester of Wilson, KS, Amanda Steinle of Russell, KS, Sami and Miki Steinle of Lucas, KS, Andrea Lanter and husband Michael with children Maddox, Macoy and Violet of Davis, Illinois, Scott Lanter of Wilson, KS, Sarah Lovato and husband Luis with children Lindsay, Paige, and Ellie of Galva, KS, and Jenna Lanter and daughter Cricket of Wilson, KS.

Berniece was preceded in death by her husband, Edward J. Olejniczak, daughter Annette Sherrill, son Edward Warren, and parents Sam and Ruth Steinle.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 22, at 11AM at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wilson. Burial will follow at the Wilson City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday 5-8PM with family receiving visitors 5-7PM and prayer service at 7PM at the funeral home in Wilson.

Memorials are suggested to Barton Community College Foundation (Adult Healthcare and Nursing programs) and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 610 24th Street, Wilson, KS 67490.

** If you plan to attend the services, please be aware that there is a bridge out on the blacktop route starting on NW 160th Ave. going north from US 156 that includes a detour on sand/dirt roads. You may want to plan for extra travel time and consider one of the following options: take US 156 to Ellsworth and come into Wilson from the east on old Highway 40 or take the Susank Rd north to Dorrance and come into Wilson from the west on old Highway 40.