Bernice Marie Chilen, age 95, died December 5, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Ulysses, Kansas. She was born April 25, 1925, near Clifton, Kansas, the daughter of Louis F. and Albertine A. (Charbonneau) Fief.

She graduated from Clyde High School in 1943 and from St. Joseph Hospital and School of Nursing in 1945 in Concordia, Kansas. She was a Registered Nurse and worked in Salina, Kansas, and at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital for 27 years in Ulysses, Kansas. On December 29, 1947, she married Joseph B. Chilen in Concordia, Kansas, he preceded her in death on April 11, 1994. Bernice was a member of the Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

Bernice is survived by two sons, Patrick Chilen and wife Ann of Denver, Colorado, and Tim Chilen and wife Jackie of Las Vegas, Nevada; two daughters, Peggy Thacker of Boise, Idaho, and Mary Kay Malone and husband Craig of Ulysses, Kansas. Thirteen grandchildren, Brooke Kruger and husband Jeff, Carrie Scheffield and husband Court, Betsy Rowen and husband Leo, Aimee Hovan and husband Drew, Diane Amend and husband Chris, Erin Thacker, Aaron Chilen, Lillie Chilen and husband Travis Grathwell, Max Chilen and wife Megan, Nina Chilen, Joseph Chilen, Haley Franz and husband David and Cort Malone and wife Amanda; and great-grandchildren, Weston and Miles Kruger, Trey and Georgia Sheffield, Oliver and Murphy Rowen, Jacob, Lessa and Keira Hovan, Sydney Amend, Desert and Rowan Rose, Elsie and Sadie Grathwell and Charlie Malone, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Bernice is also preceded in death by her parents; son, Robert J. Chilen; son-in-law, John Thacker; brother, Rane Fief; sister, Joan McGuire; and nephew, Dr. John McGuire.

Vigil and Rosary will be Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 4:00 PM and Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 10:00 AM both at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses, Kansas, with Reverend Aneesh Parappanattu, MSFS officiating. Funeral Mass will also be available live on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Interment will follow at Ulysses Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 8, 2020, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to Missionaries of Charity in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.