Berneta Tompkins, Age 80

Berneta F. Tompkins, 80, passed away Monday, August 6, 2018 at Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center.

Berneta was born September 7, 1937 in Bellaire, KS, the daughter of Fred and Grace (Hand) Vinsonhaler. On October 24, 1957 she married Ronald L. Tompkins in Smith Center, KS. To this union they were blessed with three children, Debra, Lynn and Donald.

During her husband's time in the service, she and Ron lived in Missouri, Washington, Georgia, Germany and Italy. They finally settled in Smith Center after Ron's Army discharge. While in Germany, Berneta was the manager of several AYA kitchens. Berneta worked as CNA at Smith County Memorial Hospital. Later, she would volunteer at the 60 plus meals served at the Srader Center. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Kensington, Rod and Gun Club in Germany and attended the Evangelical Free Church in Smith Center.

Berneta had many hobbies throughout her life. She loved to fish with her husband Ron, crocheting afghans, quilting and was an avid gardener. She enjoyed canning the fruits of her labor. Ron and Berneta were passionate about attending their children's sporting events and activities. She also loved watching the Smith Center Redmen play football even when her sons no longer played. She never missed a chance to attend games. When she no longer could go to the games, she watched or listened to the games at home. Later in life, she treasured watching birds come to the feeder in her front yard. Berneta loved her family and was "mama bear" to all, she could scold you in one hand to make sure you knew what you did wrong and tell you that she loved you in the other. She will be dearly missed by all of them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ronald, daughter Debra, granddaughter, Leah Tompkins and a sister, Beulah Leverton

Berneta is survived by her two sons, Lynn (Su) Tompkins of Hutchinson, Don (Jane) Tompkins of Park City; a brother, Duane Vinsonhaler; brother-in-law, Dale (Faye) Tompkins; sister-in-law, Sandy Tompkins; sixteen grandchildren, Becky Allard, Anita Lyons, Matt Lyons, Agnes Schurman, Wyatt, Whitney, Zane & Delaney Tompkins, Geoff and Andrea Stewart, Kellie Doxey, Amber Hendrich, Kecia Shellito, Kayla Murphy, Kelsey Shellito and Ashley Campbell and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2018 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Mike Gooder officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, August 10, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 11th, 9:00 a.m. until service time all at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS. Memorials may be given to USD 237 and will be used for the Redmen Sports Channel 165 and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA