SERVICES will be held at
Zion Lutheran Church in
Prairie City, Missouri on
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at
10:30 a.m.

The MINISTER will be
Pastor Michael Manz.

VISITATION will be held at
Hill and Son Funeral Home in
Appleton City, Missouri on
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 from
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

INTERMENT will be in
Zion Lutheran Cemetery,
Prairie City, Missouri.

MEMORIALS are to
Zion Lutheran Church or
Evelyn Brown Laney Hospice.

Bernice Alvina Eleanora (Rapp) Mott, daughter of Carl M. Rapp and Paula (Leimer) Rapp, was born on August 14, 1923 in Bancroft, Nebraska. She passed away at home in Rockville, Missouri, January 21, 2012 at 88 years of age.

Bernice spent her early years in Nebraska, and in 1928 the family moved to Prairie City where she attended Zion Lutheran School. In 1937, Bernice was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing music, and played the pump organ at church for several years. Many will remember that there were two services, one in German, which she played for, and the other a traditional service in English.

At 18 she left home to work in St. Louis at the airplane factory, where she was a "Riveter Girl". While there, she lived with Aunt Rose (Rapp) who was very fond of Bernice. She then moved to Kansas City and worked as a nurse's aide at St. Luke's Hospital.

She was united in marriage to James Larence Mott on December 9, 1945. To this union five children were born.

James and Bernice started Mott's Food Locker in 1948, and operated it through 1992. Bernice was devoted to her family and church. She was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church and a chartered member of Ladies Aid.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; her husband James; son Byron; three brothers: Victor, Norman, and Jack Rapp; one sister Lois and nephew Melvin Mott. She is survived by two brothers, Dennis and Duwayne and two sisters Ardyce, Marylyn and sister-in-law Laura; four children: son Bernard, daughters, Sheila and husband Ric Stuhr, Sherlene Mott, Janice and husband Jim McEwan, and daughter -in-law Connie Mott; 12 grandchildren: Jason and wife Becky, Kevin and wife Kristi, Eric and wife Dawn, Melissa and husband Colby, Rick, Adam and Allen Stuhr, Laura and husband Scott, Cameron Todd; Kary and husband Monty, Jamie and husband Adam and Cole McEwan; 12 great-grand children: Andy, Aaron, Ethan, Ryan, Chase, Kaylee, Grace, Katie, Collin, Colton, Reagan, and Rylee. Bernice had a special niece Marie Mott and special nephews Darren and Troy Rapp.

Bernice enjoyed cooking for many family members and friends and her husband James's unexpected guests! The orchard provided fruit for her well-known fruit pies and handmade crusts.

She was strong in her faith and never wavered from her relationship with Christ during her life's trials and triumphs. She also had a beautiful singing voice. There were always copies of Portals of Prayer, which she faithfully read along with her Bible.

Bernice's faith and family were the most important things in her life. She enjoyed taking care of her customers as well, in the family business, and spending time with all of her children and grandchildren. She loved to rock and sing to all of her grand kids. Grandma Bernice always had a little something special when the grand kids would stop by for a "treat". She will be greatly missed by all.