Bernice Lavon Ringeisen's Obituary
Bernice Lavon (Lange) Ringeisen, 93, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 21, 2026. She was born East of town near Independence, KS, on November 30, 1932, to Louis and Esther Lange. The oldest of 3 daughters, she grew up on the family's dairy farm, Lange's Dairy, where she helped her father deliver milk before school. She attended Zion Lutheran School until 8th grade and was confirmed in her faith the14th of April, 1946 at Zion Lutheran Church. From there she attended and graduated from Independence High School, where she met the love of her life, and high school sweetheart, the dashing blonde Donald Gene Ringeisen. They married November 19th, 1950, just before Don joined the army and was sent to Korea. Their first daughter, Karyl, was born while Don was away at War. Two and a half years later, their daughter Cindy Ann was born.
Bernice worked as a short-hand secretary in many roles. She was privileged to work for a General of the United States Army in Savannah, Georgia. She also worked for Sinclair Oil, sold Avon, and retired from the Tulsa Public School system after 27 years of service. During those years, she spent many hours working with Social workers on behalf of the many students she served. She worked at Lynn Lane Elementary, Ross Elementary, and Whittier Elementary. She had numerous students contact her when they became adults thanking her for taking care of them when they were sad or ill. She was eternally a caregiver, organizer and compassionate listening ear.
Bernice was an avid crocheter, who made countless afghan's, doll clothes, baby blankets and clothing. She had a wonderful green thumb and loved indoor and outdoor plants and flowers, including cacti. She loved to grow tomatoes and cucumbers in her small backyard garden. She loved all birds, especially bluebirds and hummingbirds. She was also an amazing baker. Her specialty was the many many homemade cakes that she would bake for her friends and family. Don and Bernice and the girls tent camped every summer in Colorado where she would still somehow manage full meals and a cake made on the campfire. Later, she and Don enjoyed camping in a 5th wheel and took many trips across the United States. A favorite destination was Red River, New Mexico where they would meet the family for summer trips.
For more than 60 years, she was a devoted and faithful member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Out of the abundance of her faith she served with her congregation and had a heart for missions. She loved God deeply, and that love was evident in the way she lived—gracefully, humbly, and with a spirit of service.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Alice Linn, her beloved husband Donald Gene and a precious granddaughter Krista Burns. She is survived by her beloved sister Sylvia Akin, daughter's Karyl Champlin, Cindy Agee and husband Kenneth, granddaugther LeeAnn (Agee) Bruch and husband Garry, grandson Paul Agee, granddaugher Sara Burns, granddaugther Holly (Agee) Nelson and husband Travis, and five great-grandchildren Garry Bruch III, Evalee Rose Marie Bruch, Daniel Bruch, Madeline Nelson and Luke Nelson.
Funeral Service will be held Thursday, March 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 8730 E Skelly Dr. Tulsa, OK. With internment at Mount Hope Cemetery (Lutheran Section), Independence, KS under the direction of Floral Haven Funeral Home.
Memorial donations can be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or American Diabetes Association.
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
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