Bernice Bobei (nee Cummer)

Peacefully on June 26, 2026, Bernice Bobei passed away at the Lions Prairie Manor at the age of 86 years.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Morris, parents Howard and Tennie Cummer, brothers Wesley, Orville, Clinton and Elmer, sister Frances, brothers-in-law Mike and Jim, sister-in-law Simone. Bernice will be remembered by her children Howard (Pat) of Winnipeg, Rick of Portage, Brenda (Neal) of Portage and Brent of Portage, grandchildren Raini, April, Devon, Hayden, Eliza Jane, Johnathon and great-grandchildren, sister Iona Prodnuik, sisters-in-law Cheryl and Margaret, niece Diane (Walter) Saranchuk of Winnipeg; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Bernice was born in Carman, Manitoba on August 17, 1939, and was raised on the farm in the Roseisle - Stephenfield area. She attended the Roseisle School and when she left school she worked as a housekeeper for several farm families in the Carman area for a few years. Bernice then went to work at the Shamrock Inn in Carman for several years as a waitress, then decided to work at the Ryal Hotel Restaurant as a waitress for a change in scenery. The year 1960 seemed to be a turning point for Bernice when she met Morris and after a short courtship they got married in 1961.

There was much moving around in the early years of married life but decided to settle down in the Oakville area in 1969 where the two youngest children began school at the Oakville School and then moved to Portage la Prairie in 1982. Bernice started working at the Portage district General Hospital as a nurse’s aide. Certain unexpected developments opened up and they moved to Dauphin in 1992 which left Bernice to commute back and forth to Portage for her job. Bernice retired from the Portage District General Hospital in 1994, after 14 years of service. They lived in Dauphin for a period of ten years and eventually moved back to Portage in 2003 to take up residence in the Windsor Park Estates.

Bernice was a past member of the St. George Ukrainian Orthodox Church while living in Dauphin and also a member of the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Portage. She also belonged to the Ukrainian Connection, U.C.T Portage, Portage District Hospital Auxiliary, Herman Prior, TOPS, while also doing volunteering elsewhere throughout the community.

Bernice and Morris have done some travelling throughout Florida, making 3 trips to visit their friends in Boca Raton and while being there, they visited Disney World, St. Petersburg, Kennedy Space Center, Florida Keys down to Key West and the Florida Everglades for a peek at the alligators. They also travelled to Cartersville, Georgia, Nashville, Memphis (Graceland) and Branson. Their daughter Brenda won this trip to Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) for both of them, which they enjoyed very much, also Bernice and a group of ladies took a trip to Hawaii.

Bernice loved watching her favourite TV programs, reading, bowling, cooking, baking and volunteering. She loved planting flowers and always loved to listen to the Polka Party on Saturday Nights on CFRY.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gray and nurse April for their care and compassion. Also to all the friends at Windsor Park Estates for being there for assistance over the years.

A funeral service will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 11:00 am, led by Wilma Shirriff. Viewing prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am. A reception will follow in the Trimble Room with burial taking place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The service will be livestreamed, to register and view please see link below.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bernice’s memory to Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8 or STARS – Ambulance, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570 Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com