Bernice Lucille Newman

Bernice Lucille Newman, 82, of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away on May 2, 2019, after a short battle with heart and kidney disease. 

Bernice was born on May 10, 1936, in Fairview, Kansas. She was the seventh of nine children born to Bernard John and Helena Elizabeth (Riemann) Jurgensmeier. In her childhood, she was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church parish in the Fidelity, Kansas community, located seven miles south of Sabetha.

Bernice attended school in Fairview, graduated from Fairview High School in 1954, and went to college. On October 6, 1956, she married Charles “Chuck” Frederick Newman in Topeka, Kansas. In 1958, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Bernice stayed home with their four children until the youngest went to school. She then worked for the Albuquerque Public Schools for 27 years as an Educational Assistant. After retiring, she volunteered for 26 years in the Hospice Unit at Kaseman/Presbyterian Hospital and 10 years as the Sunshine Chairman and Greeter at the board member meetings for the Ostomy Association of Albuquerque. For 16 years, Bernice worked on hot air balloon chase crews at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. She assisted in the Reading Program for third graders at her grandson’s school.

Bernice especially liked to travel with her family and friends. She made six trips to Europe, and during one of the trips to Germany, she met her second cousins. Bernice began to learn the German language and eventually became fluent in it. She also traveled extensively throughout the United States with family and friends to national parks, pueblos, and roadside attractions. Bernice appreciated the beautiful landscapes and the people she met. She documented the genealogy trees for both the Jurgensmeier and Newman families. Bernice also enjoyed the activities and events of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. There is nothing more important than family and friends to Bernice. She will be greatly missed.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and her four brothers, Raymond, Leo, Eugene, and LeRoy Jurgensmeier. 

Bernice is survived by her husband, Chuck; her four children, Arlene Bailey of Enterprise, Alabama, Dennis (Mary) Newman of Melissa, Texas, Charlotte (Jim) Brown of Phoenix, Arizona, and Alan (Shelley) Newman of Broomfield, Colorado; her eight grandchildren; her two great-grandchildren; her four sisters, Evelyn M. (Hubert) Suther, Viola A. Peters, Helen M. Skinner, and Lois K. Bindel; sisters-in-law, Joan Jurgensmeier and Carolyn Jurgensmeier; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service and inurnment will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Cemetery (Fidelity, Kansas), 1948 Acorn Road, Sabetha, Kansas. Since this is a celebration of Bernice’s life, she wanted everybody to wear bright colors. After the service, a light reception will be provided. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the:

• 1.  American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/ or call 1-800-242-8721.

• 2.  Presbyterian Hospital Foundation for Hospice in Albuquerque at https://www.faithpreshospice.org/ or call (505) 724-6580.