Berniece J. (Balzer) Ensz, 88, former resident of Wichita, Topeka and most recently Lawrence, Kansas passed away peacefully on August 6, 2020. For the past three years Berniece was a resident of, and lovingly cared for, by the staff of Star Living, a residential care facility in Lawrence.
Berniece was born July 7, 1932 in Hillsboro, Kansas to the parents of Herman and Hazel Balzer.
Beginning life in the country, she attended Rose Hill Country School. When their life on the farm was lost in the Dust Bowl years of the “dirty thirties” the family moved to town. She attended and was graduated from Hillsboro High School in the class of 1950.
Berniece met the love of her life, Victor Lee Ensz, in Hillsboro and the two were married on August 30, 1952 at the Hillsboro Evangelical Church. Shortly thereafter Vic and Bea moved to Wichita where they resided until 1993.
When her youngest started kindergarten, Bea attended cosmetology school and then operated Bea’s Beauty Bar out of a salon in their home for over 20 years.
Summers always concluded with two weeks of boating and skiing with family and friends at Lake of the Ozarks. After Vic and Bea’s retirements they enjoyed traveling and camping with other Southwestern Bell retirees. They spent many winters in Arizona with their old and new friends. Square dancing and bowling were favorite pastimes for many years.
Vic and Bea were longtime Methodists, being members of the Westside United Methodist Church in Wichita and then First United Methodist of Topeka.
For all of her talents Bea will best be remembered for baking and dessert recipes that were handed down from her German Mennonite heritage. She treated her family and friends with zwieback bread, cinnamon rolls, plumamouse, bierocks, cakes, New Years cookies, and meringue pies. An annual event at Grandma’s house was decorating sugar cookies with the grandkids, with frosting covering everything but the cookies.
Bea was preceded in death by her husband Vic (2011) and three sisters; Joyce Unruh (2015), Jean Nestor (2004) and Jacque Herzet (2016).
She is survived by the families of her two daughters Vicki L. (Michael) Schmidt of Topeka, Kansas and Debbie E. (Kenneth) Mishler of Lawrence, Kansas.
Throughout her life she was the loving grandmother of five grandchildren; Jonathan (Taryn) Schmidt of Madison, WI, Tyler (Lindsey) Schmidt of Minneapolis, MN, Keaton (Lauren) Mishler of Kansas City, MO, Kelsi (Michael) Younger of Pratt, KS and Kara Mishler of Kansas City, MO. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, who were frequent visitors during her time at Star Living; Madeline Grace Mishler, Pierce Calvin Mishler, William Michael Schmidt, Oliver Lee Schmidt, Finley Marie Schmidt, Jacob Adrian Younger, Parker May Younger and Blake Renee’ Younger.
Graveside services and celebration of Bea’s life will be held at 11:00 am August 14 at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church Cemetery in Hillsboro, KS under the direction of Jost Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeff Clinger will preside over the service. Those that wish to join the family and attend this outdoor service are asked to wear a mask, respect social distance space and bring a lawn chair.
Bea will always be remembered for her dedication to her family and her keen sense of style. Bea enjoyed always looking her best. Even in her final days on this earth, the staff at Star Living made sure she was well dressed, hair fixed, earrings in, necklace in place and bracelets on. Lipstick and nail polish were always a necessary part of her daily ritual.
Vicki and Debbie would like to thank Bea’s family at Star Living that gave her the best loving care over the past three years. They would also like to thank the staff of Midland Care Hospice, specifically nurse Scott, for the excellent care and attention given our Mother to keep her comfortable over the past few months. It is these acts of loving kindness that will be remembered by the entire family.
Memorial may be made in Berniece’s memory to the KU Alzheimer and Memory Program, in care of the KU Endowment Association, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160, Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier, Topeka, KS 66606 or the Topeka First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66603.