- Date Of Birth: August 22, 1919
- Date Of Death: April 9, 2008
- State: Iowa
Bernice E. Raper, 88, of Urbandale, Iowa, (formerly of Casey and Stuart, Iowa) passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at Urbandale Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Bernice Ester Chase was born on August 22, 1919, in Fillmore, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Ester Chase.
When Bernice was three her mother passed away and at the age of six was moved to the Dubuque Children’s Orphanage with her brother and sister. She lived there until it closed in 1928. Bernice then was placed in the Soldier’s Orphans Home in Davenport until she was fifteen. After leaving the orphanage she was placed with a family in Des Moines as a maid and attended Roosevelt High School. At the age of eighteen she was given her freedom to be who she wanted to be and live wherever she wanted.
She then moved to Casey and worked at Overmyer Restaurant as a waitress and did this for several years. This is where she met her husband, Raymond Raper. They were married on September 15, 1941 in Maryville, Missouri while he was home on furlough. After Raymond returned from the war they made their home in Casey and raised their three daughters.
