Bernice Vivian (Permann) Ziegler

Bernice Vivian Ziegler (Permann)

April 15, 1932 - July 18, 2026

Bernice passed away peacefully with family by her side on July 18, 2026 at the age of 94, at the Long-Term Care Centre in Olds, Alberta.

Bernice was born on April 15, 1932 and was the only child of Jake and Alma Permann. She grew up on the farm near Carbon, Alberta, one mile east of the Zion Baptist Church.

On February 18, 1954, Bernice married Elmer Ziegler and they lived in a tiny house across the highway from her parents. In 1959, Bernice’s parents built a house in Carbon and moved to town that October. Bernice and Elmer and their first daughter Susan then moved into the house on the farm. A few years later, they had their second daughter Bonny.

Bernice was always a hard worker and never hesitated to help out on the farm. In the early years, she milked cows, tended to her chickens, and sold eggs to regular customers in Drumheller. At harvest time, she was the truck driver because she did not want to drive the combine. This job included shoveling out grain bins and lifting '50-lb' herbicide bags. Along with all her farm duties, she also managed to keep her house clean at all times and prepared meals for her family. Bernice was a good cook, a gracious host, and no one ever left the house hungry. Her children and grandchildren appreciated her big spreads at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and birthdays and her signature dishes. In the later years, her greatest joy was playing cards and putting together puzzles with her grandchildren while the little ones ran around beside her.

Bernice and Elmer were faithful and devoted members of the Zion Baptist Church which they attended regularly. Bernice’s quiet faith led her in her walk with God.

Bernice is survived by her two daughters, Susan, who married Randy Gieck in 1975 and have a son, Travis (Brenda) with their three children Hannah, Emily, and Warren. And their daughter Alisha Gieck.

Her second daughter, Bonny, married Brian Miller in 1983. They have a daughter Dezerae who married Tyler Walton and have two sons Rhett and Quaid, and a son Tyrel (Lynda) and their two daughters Rayla and Maxly.

Bernice and Elmer retired from the farm in 1989 and moved to a house in Drumheller beside the river. After a number of years there, they moved to a condo on the other side of town. Eventually they moved to the Sunshine Lodge. After Elmer's passing, Bernice stayed at Sunshine until she moved to Hillview Lodge, and in the end, to the Long-Term Care Centre in Olds, where she spent her final days.

Bernice is predeceased by her parents Jake and Alma, her husband Elmer, and her grandson Dakota Miller.

Funeral Services for Bernice will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Zion Baptist Church at 2:00 P.M. Bernice will be laid to rest beside her husband at Zion Baptist Cemetery.