Bernice Shafer

Bernice Ruby "B" Specht Shafer passed away on Sunday 23, 2018 at Hilltop Nursing Home in Kerrville, Texas. She was 95 years of age. Bernice or 'B" as she was known went to her final resting place knowing that she was loved by her Texas friends and her family. B was born to Laura (Yokom) Specht and William Specht on December 26,1922 in Ackley, Iowa. She was the oldest of six children and helped with the caring of her younger siblings. It was this caring that helped her decide at an early age to become a nurse.\r\n\r\nFollowing high school graduation from Ackley High School, B attended nurses' training at Mercy School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa. During this time, she also joined the US Cadet Nurse Corp graduating in 1944. This was a World War II initiative that alleviated critical nursing shortages to civilians at home and abroad due to the war.\r\n\r\nB then joined the US Army in November 1944 and received an honorable discharge in March of 1946. During World War II, she was stationed in Luzon, Manilla, Philippines where she received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, an Overseas Service Bar, and a Philippines Liberation Ribbon Victory Medal. She then joined the US Air Force in 1951 during the Korean Conflict. B was stationed at Schick Army Hospital in Clinton, Iowa as an operating room nurse attaining the rank of Captain.\r\n\r\nWhile in the Air Force, she met the love of her life, George Raymond Shafer, an Air Force Sargent. Because the Military discouraged close fraternization between officer and enlisted personnel, B and George could not be married. So in April 1953, B left the Air Force with an Honorable Discharge and married George on September 20,1953, in Clinton, Iowa. B and George moved to Texas where George was stationed and after time in Abilene, they found their way to the Hill Country.\r\n\r\nB went to work for Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital in April, 1965 and retired in 1989. She was fondly remembered as 'The Little General" during her time there. She then worked for a urology group and Dr. Cammack for ten years. In 2003 she made house calls with Dr. Dan Bacon. In 2006, after Dr. Bacon closed his business, she went to work for Cornerstone Business Solufions, where she worked until 2013.\r\n\r\nB was preceded in death by her parents; her husband George; brothers, William and Paul; and a sister Jean. She is survived by sisters Vivian J Maze of Bettendorf, Iowa and Margaret (Peggy) Terry of Albany, Illinois.\r\n\r\nB was active at the First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for many years. She went on a choir trip to Israel. It was one of her fondest memories. Another highlight was when the Gillespie County Veterans Service Office arranged for her to go with other Veterans to Washington D.C. B often told a story of taking care of a young man while in the Philippines who didn't make it home. She never was able to find out his name and it haunted her dreams for years. When she was chosen with three other Veterans to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, she felt her circle of life was complete. She was able to pay a final tribute to so many who sacrificed all for a Country she loved. She often said she had accomplished all her goals, lived a good life and had no regrets.\r\n\r\nA graveside service is planned for January 10, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas with full military honors.\r\n\r\nMemorials can be made to Freeman-Fritz Animal Shelter, Wounded Warriors, or First United Methodist Church.