Bernie Clifton Pace

Our Dad always said, When I die I want my headstone to read "He lived and He died". However, there was much more to him than that. Dad was born in East Wenatchee to Bernie and Cenia Pace on March 9, 1928. He passed from this life on April 23, 2012 at home surrounded by his loving family. Dad attended grade school in East Wenatchee and always talked about the summer he was 12 years old when his dad took him to Pilot Rock, Oregon. He referred to it as the best summer of his life. He would get up every morning, jump on his bike and not come home until dark. He learned to swim in the ditch and he was a Bridgewalker. Dad graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1946 and entered the Navy. He served his country for 2 years and was honorably discharged. He met and fell in love with our mother Barbara Jean Behrens in 1950 and they were married on 11-11-51 at The Hitching Post in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Dad went to work at Keokuk Electro Metals before he entered the military and returned after he served. He started as a crane operator and when he retired 36 years later he was the Personnel Director. During his employment he was transferred to Keokuk, IA. He and mom lived in Iowa for 9 years. In 1952 mom and dad welcomed their first daughter Pam (dad's favorite) Portia came along in 1953 and along came Corky in 1956. In 1961 our parents purchased a scruffy piece of property on the South Shore of Lake Chelan or as we call it "The Lake". The memories we made at the cabin that Dad built are priceless. Dad started having "falling" troubles and the cabin was sold in 1996 and mom and dad moved back to Wenatchee. Dad loved the Western Channel, he was an avid reader and was very proud of his "library". He taught by example and made us want to grow up to be the kind of parent he was. More than anything he loved his family. He was simply the best! Dad was preceded in death by his parents Bernie and Cenia Pace. His siblings William H. Pace, Thelma Brisbine, Joy Gill, J. Richard Pace, Norma Hanson and an infant sister Beaurita Pace. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 60 years Barbara J. Pace, his children Pam Pace (Denny) Portia Pace (Jim) and his son Bernie C. Pace III (Corky) and his wife Brandy. In addition he is survived by his grandchildren Dustin (Anne-Claire), Kristen and Michael. We would like to thank Bob Norton for his invaluable and tender care he gave our father. It was only with his care and the loving care of our brother Corky that we were able to keep dad home. Thanks to CWH Hospice. I would like to thank each of you by name but you know who you are. We so appreciated all you did. Thanks to Chaplain Scott for all your kind words and prayers. We would also like to thank the staff at Colonial Vista Rehab. who had cared for Dad off and on for 6 years especially James, Sherry, Reyna and Betsy. A celebration of Dad's life will be held on May 12, 2012 at the home of his daughter Portia, 615 Olympus Drive, Wenatchee. Donations can be made in Dad's name to Wenatchee Valley Humane Society Building Fund.

Bernie Clifton Pace

March 9, 1928 - April 23, 2012