Bernice Irene Lortz

March 8, 2002

© Amarillo Globe News

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BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Bernice Irene Lortz, 82, died Monday, March 4, 2002.

Private graveside services will be Monday in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Borger, Texas. Arrangements are by Walker-Brown Funeral Home.

Mrs. Lortz, a native of Kansas, was born on the family farm near Lafontaine, Kan., on March 6, 1919, to Samuel Edward and Daisy Bell Gilbert Chesnut. She attended Lafontaine schools graduating from high school in 1935 at age 16.

She moved to Bartlesville and resided with relatives while attending Bartlesville College of Business. She then worked as a secretary for Foster Petroleum Co. and later for Phillips Petroleum Co.

Feb. 28, 1941, in Bartlesville, she married Russell Lortz, a mechanical engineer with Phillips Petroleum Co. They made their homes in Bartlesville, Kansas City, Kan., Okmulgee, Sweeny, Texas, Antwerp, Belgium, and Borger, Texas. He was the plant manager of Phillips Refinery and NGL Center in Borger when he passed away.

As a homemaker, she enjoyed sewing, bridge and golf. She was active in many church activities, clubs, charities and civic organizations. September of 1999 she moved to Bartlesville, making her home at Green Country Village Assisted Living and later to Heritage Villa.

She was preceded in death by her husband in June 1977; her parents; four sisters; and three brothers.

Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Klahn and husband, James, of Bartlesville; two grandchildren, Jessica and Christina; a great-grandchild, Damon; a brother, Robert Chesnut and wife, Josephine, of Bartlesville; a sister-in-law, Mildred Miller and husband, Leelyn, of North English, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials be to American Diabetes Association, Always and Forever Memorial and Honor Program, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720.

Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

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