In Memoriam — Bernice Pearl (Hooks) Nicklas

1917 — 2024

Bernice Pearl (Hooks) Nicklas, the youngest of 12 children, was born Sunday, December 23, 1917, and passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024, after a short illness of pneumonia. She was born at home in Adrian, Pa. Her early years were spent on the family farm with her parents and the remaining nine living siblings. 

She moved to Kittanning, Pa. to live with her sisters and attend Kittanning High School, where she excelled in food preparation and sewing. As a young woman she worked as a housekeeper for a family in Kittanning and part-time in a department store. She then moved to Butler where she lived with family while attending Butler Beauty School. It was there she met her future husband, “Brownie” (Cassius Brown Nicklas). 

They dated three years and eloped to Kentucky where they were married on October 4, 1942. Brownie mustered into the Army on October 8, 1942. It was an adventure that lasted almost 37 years. Bernice followed her husband to various military bases across the country and “Bernie” as he affectionately called her, led Girl Scout troops on hiking and camping trips in Idaho, Washington and Colorado. She was often also employed as a nanny and enjoyed the little ones so very much. 

Her yearn to become a mother was finally fulfilled when their daughter, Carolyn, presented herself June 30, 1948. They built their home on Artlee Avenue in Butler, Pa and moved in July 1, 1949. Bernice busied herself as the consummate wife, mother, homemaker and gardener. She also made time to stop and “blow bubbles” with her very active toddler. 

She loved clothing and fashion, sewing and re-designing clothes for herself and Carolyn, making sure they always had very unique wardrobes. Bernice was an excellent cook, having learned from her mother, her former employer and her mother-in-law. She planted a flourishing garden featuring all kinds of vegetables and herbs and also showed off her green thumb with roses, iris, peonies, daffodils and more. Bernice mowed her half acre she called home by herself until she was 97. 

Family summers were spent in Quebec fishing in their little trio for Walleye Pike. Her culinary skills were most evident in what she called a Boiled Dinner (Carolyn’s favorite), the best Vegetable Beef Soup ever, pies that never spent long in the kitchen and in her later years, her Angel Food Cakes that won the Blue Ribbon at the Butler Farm Show. 

She was active in her church, Trinity Presbyterian, where she remained the last living charter member until her death. She was also active in the Butler Chapter 45 Order of Eastern Star and Meridian Rainbow for Girls, as well as Meridian Women’s Club. Her extended family was never far away at regular family gatherings and picnics, were cousins, stories and potluck faire were always abundant. 

In the second stage of her life Bernice’s dearest friend, Isabelle “Belle” Stephens, moved in two doors down and the dynamic duo was never far apart. Their enthusiasm for all things patriotic, horticulture and health and wellness strengthened their enduring friendship for more than 40 years. In 1985, another girl was added to the family when her only granddaughter was born. Elizabeth spent summers with her grandmother learning how to garden, make the perfect pie crust and gallivanting around with Grandma and Aunt Belle. In October 2015, Bernice moved to Dallas, Texas to be near her only child, Carolyn, and son in law, living close by. 

She was fortunate to meet and build relationships with both of her great grandchildren before her death, even wrestling with Teddy in her mid 90s on the floor. In June of 2019, she moved to White Rock Court, where she also received personal assistance on a daily basis. 

Her caregivers became family and loved her and cared for her, calling her “Mom and Grandma.” Friends there dubbed her “Queen B.” She attended church with her family until 2023. Carolyn and Tim were with her when she passed on May 21. She never made a commitment she didn’t keep. “Strong Women, May we know them, May we be them, May we raise them.” She certainly did! 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chambers L. and Clara Emily Crissman Hooks, her 11 siblings, many nieces, nephews and by her husband of 36 years, Cassius Brown Nicklas. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn J. Nicklas Johnson (James “Tim”), of Dallas, Texas, granddaughter Elizabeth Ann Nicklas Madgwick (Chris) of Waldo, Wisc., and grandchildren, William Edward “Teddy” Madgwick, and Katharine Margaret “Kate” Madgwick, as well as countless loving nieces, nephews and friends. Services were held in Dallas on June 11 at King of Glory Lutheran Church and June 18 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Butler, Pa. Memorial donations can be made to Trinity Presbyterian and the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Bernice was interred at the mausoleum at Greenlawn Cemetery in Butler, Pa.