LOLA ANN BERNARD, 101, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday morning, December 22, 2009 at Cumbernauld Village.

Born February 12, 1908 in Arkansas City, Kansas, she was the daughter of William Wilford and Rosa (Robertson) Welman. She was raised in the Arkansas City area and attended Arkansas City public schools. She also took some classes at Berea College in Ohio.

Lola was united in marriage to Delore J. (Dee) Bernard on July 19, 1930 in Arkansas City. The couple made their first home in Arkansas City for 7 years. They also lived in Canton, Ohio, Berea, Ohio, and Rocky River, Ohio before moving to Escondido, California in 1968 for 23 years after Dee's retirement. Lola worked as an Office Manager for Halle's Big Department Store in Cleveland, Ohio and retired in 1967. The couple had a daughter in 1932, Patricia Jean Bernard. Patricia passed away in 1983. Mr. Bernard passed away on June 6, 1988. Lola moved to Winfield after the death of her husband, where she resided at Cumbernauld Village for 20 years.

Dee and Lola took in and made a home for their foster daughter, Bernadette Mocnik Tyszka after she escaped from Yugoslovia at the time of WWII. Bernadette was a loving and attentive daughter. Lola was her mother here in the U.S. and was her mentor and friend.

Lola was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield where she was a member of the United Methodist Women. She was also active in the PTA, Girls Scouts, Women's Club, Eastern Star, and PEO in Cleveland, Ohio. Dee and Lola belonged to the Great Books Study Club as well, in Cleveland, Ohio. Lola remained an active member of Chapter CU, PEO, DAR, and Eastern Star of Rocky River, Ohio. She loved to sew, read and watch TV. She also enjoyed baking cookies for the residents at Cumbernauld and others.

Lola was one of the first residents at Cumbernauld Village. She moved their in the Summer of 1989, and did much volunteer work for Cumbernauld. She was the last of the first residents.

Her family includes:
Her foster daughter: Bernadette Mocnik Tyszka of Holiday, Florida;
Her brother-in-law and sister-in-law: William H. and Dorothy Bernard of Winfield;
Her niece: Judi Ann Walker of Havelock, North Carolina;
Many other nieces and nephews by marriage; and
An abundant number of friends everywhere she went.
In addition to her parents, husband, Delore J. "Dee", and her daughter, Patricia Jean Bernard, Lola was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank Robert Welman and Walter Wilford Welman, and her sister, Harriet Jo Welman.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 2:30 P.M. at Grace United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery west of Winfield. Miles Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials have been established in Mrs. Bernard's name for Grace United Methodist Church and for the Cumbernauld Village Hope Fund. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.