Bernice Margaret Lawson, 88, died Nov. 7, 2007, at Hester Care Center.

She was born June 8, 1919, the daughter of William Windsor and Erma Bernice Dick Gunn Jr. in Rural Courtland Republic County, Kansas. She was a longtime resident and had also lived in the Langdon and Penalosa communities. She was a graduate of Superior High School, Neb., in 1937. She worked for the Kansas State Fair in the Publicity Department, and for A.D. Rayl Motor Company, before retiring as secretary with the Farm Security Administration.

She belonged to Trinity United Methodist Church. She was a member of the 4-H Club and the Uvedale Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

On June 18, 1940, she married Maurice R. Lawson. He survives.

Other survivors include: two daughters Sandra Lee Messenger, Abilene and Connie Marie Stringer, Hutchinson; two sisters, Kathleen Kramer, Omaha, Neb., and Eilene McDill, Belleville: four grandchildren, David Rudicel and wife, Rhonda, Greg Reno and wife, Kelli, Debra Smart and husband, Douglas, Denise Youtsey and husband, Bruce; 10 great-grandchildren, Jessica Goodale, Becky Rankin, Robin Smart, Taylor Kate and Wyatt Tell Youtsey, Devin and Savannah Rudicel, Sam, Mollie and Luke Reno.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Marian Ault and Evelyn Crook.

Graveside service will be at 2:30 Saturday in Lerado Cemetery, with the Rev. Pat Ault-Duell presiding.

Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliot Mortuary, Hutchinson. The casket will remain closed.

Memorials may be sent to Wesley Towers Nursing Scholarship in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.