Berniece Rosie Tapia, 75, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday morning, July 20, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center.

Born September 21, 1946, in Winfield, Kansas, she was the daughter of Toribio and Margarita (Barron) Tapia. She was raised and received her education in Winfield, graduating from Winfield High School in 1965. Berniece worked for the Winfield State Hospital and Training Center before working at Winfield Cleaners, and later Fiesta Grande. She made her career as a para educator at USD 465 in Winfield. She remained with the school district for over 30 years before retiring.

In July 1996, she received the third Habitat for Humanity home in Winfield, and it became the first Habitat home paid off in the state of Kansas. She spent the rest of her life volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She enjoyed gardening, listening to music, and watching movies. She was an avid Kansas City Chiefs football fan, and KU basketball fan.

Her family includes her sisters Guadalupe Underkofler of Evanston, WY; Maria Chavez and husband, Lawrence of Natrona Heights, PA; Elisha DeLozier and husband, Joe of Winfield; her brothers, Antonio Tapia and wife, Guadalupe of Winfield; John Tapia of Winfield; Ramon "Jimmy" Tapia of Winfield; Alfred Tapia of Winfield; and Eduardo Tapia of Winfield; and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Berniece was preceded in death by her daughter Misty Michelle Cochran, two sisters, two brothers, two half sisters, and three half brothers.

A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled at 10:00 A.M., Friday, July 29, 2022 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Winfield under the direction of Miles Funeral Service. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 P.M., Thursday, July 28, 2022 at the church.

A memorial has been established in Berniece's name to defray funeral expenses. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.