age 91, passed away on December 7, 2012 in Burien, WA.

Known as Bernie, Grams, Grandma B, and Grandma the Great, Bernice came into the world on January 28, 1921 in Aberdeen, WA, but spent her childhood in Roslyn, WA, and graduated from Easton High School in 1938. In 1940, Bernice married Ernest Balant, and they had two children, Rich and Sandi. Living in Cle Elum, she worked at the Cottage Café. Divorced in 1950, she settled in the Puget Sound area with her two children, and was very active in Eastern Star. She worked in the frozen foods industry for several years including Minute Maid and West Coast Grocery. In 1962, she married Roy Switzler, and they had a daughter, Trudy. Roy passed away suddenly in 1971, leaving Bernice a widow. It was around this time that she began to attend St James Episcopal Church in Kent, where she served on the Vestry, was active in Cursillo and served on the board for Camp Huston. In 1994, Bernice moved to Yakima and worked and volunteered at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital gift shop. She attended St Timothy's Episcopal Church, where she was the parish wedding consultant. Since 2009, Bernice resided at Normandy Park Assisted Living in Burien.

Bernice is survived by a son, Rich Balant of Kirkland, daughters Sandi Bess of Burien, and Trudy (Bob) Soost of Chelan, grandson Mike Bess of Kent, granddaughters Kellie Carpenter of Kent, and Kaitlin Soost of Tacoma, great-grandson Kaden Carpenter of Kent, and long time companion, Don Carlton of Yakima.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy E. Switzler, and half-brother Art Spisak.