Bernice Klees Waddle, 88, of Sweet Home passed away Tuesday, March 21 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law. She was born in McMinnville, Oregon, to Anthony “Tony” and Barbara “Barbie” (Gebhardt) Klees. She took pride in the fact that Barbie was born in Germany. Mom was the youngest of five children; Marian, Francis, Leonard and Dorothy.

She spent her younger years living in Valley Junction, Oregon, before moving to Sweet Home, Oregon where she attended high school. Mom married Lyle “Lew” Waddle on June 17, 1946. They had two children, Michael “Mike” and Toni, both born in Lebanon, Oregon.

In the mid 50s, Bernice and Lew owned Maple Leaf Service Station on the old highway between Fort Hill and Willamina, Oregon.

Mom co-founded the Point Restaurant in Sweet Home in 1972 with Lew, her sister Francis, and Francis’ husband, Clay Tatum. The Point remained a part of her life until her passing.

She was employed as a clerk at Safeway and IGA in Sweet Home. She was also employed at Epps Furniture and later as an agent at Zurcher Realty and Weber Realty. Mom spent a couple of years as the manager of Sweet Home Elks Lodge. She also co-founded The Old Mill Restaurant in 1983 in Garibaldi, Oregon.

Mom enjoyed keeping busy and had many hobbies. Some of her hobbies included reading, especially John Grisham, knitting, painting, gardening and buying and renovating homes. In the 1960s she enjoyed square dancing and being a part of Chips-N-Splinters during Sportsman’s Holiday. She also enjoyed being a chaperone in the Miss Sweet Home pageant and was involved with the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce.

Mom was baptized into the Catholic church as a child. Recently she was happy to renew her Catholic faith. Thank you Nancy Ellis and Kathy Ives for your weekly trips this past year to Mom’s home and to Saint Helen Catholic Church.

She had a real passion for animals of all kinds. She especially loved dogs and took in several rescue animals throughout the years. Recently, she loved her dog Andy and her cat, Hershey.

The family appreciates recent comments made by community members which include; Sweet Home lost a great lady today; She was a wonderful part of our little town, and will be missed; Loved her spunk and hardworking spirit. Never left a conversation with her without laughing; Loved to teach. Lots of knowledge; Totally amazing and darn good pie maker; Knowing her has been a wonderful privilege; Bernice gave so many young people their first job; I was introduced to Chubby Checker and learned how to twist at the Waddle house; What a fun gal; Rest in peace my longtime friend.

The family would like to give special thanks to Mike Hall and Linda Holley. Mom thought of them as family members. They were and still are special people to all of us. We would also like to thank Casey, David and Ashley of Hospice. They were wonderful to Mom and to the family. And to Lisa Anthony, a devoted care giver.
She is survived by Toni James and her husband, Jim of Foster. Grandsons, Jim James and wife Marina of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Ryan and Katie of Portland, Oregon. Mom loved Jim, Marina, Ryan and Katie so very much. She enjoyed sharing stories of how great they are. Mom held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews. They were always there for her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Anthony Klees and Barbara Klees; son, Mike Waddle; sisters Marian Fuller, Francis Valliere and Dorothy Klees; and brother, Leonard Klees.

On Saturday, April 1st there will be a Rosary at 10:00 a.m. with a Memorial Mass to follow at 11:00 at Saint Helen Catholic Church, 815 Fifth Avenue, Sweet Home, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation SafeHaven Humane Society or Signature Hospice in care of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel 1443 Long St. Sweet Home, OR 97386.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.