On Saturday, July 30, 2022, Bernetta DeShazo left this world and entered into her Everlasting Home. Interestingly, she was born during the height of the Spanish Flu and died as Covid waned!! She lived a challenging, generous, caring, and enjoyable life of 103 years….Amazing!!

Bernetta Kingsbury was born on June 30 ^th , 1919 in Boone County, Iowa. Her father, Ralph Kyle Kingsbury, of Irish decent, and her mother, Gladys Johnson Kingsbury, of Norwegian heritage, were expecting their 3 ^rd child. After the doctor arrived in his horse and buggy, he delivered her older brother, Bernard, and much to her parent's surprise, child number 4 was born, Bernetta. Her Mother's apt words sum up the surprise twin birth, "Isn't one enough?" In all, 8 Kingsbury children were born and raised in Iowa and Minnesota.

After Bernetta graduated from Stanhope Highschool in Iowa, with the "class of '36", she attended college and worked in Des Moines, Iowa. As a member of the Greatest Generation, she found her faith in the living God and was baptized in the local river by Reverend Heck at age 20. While quiet in her public confession of her walk with Jesus, His love for her sustained her through the many seasons of her long life and welcomed her home when she left us.

In 1940, she married Wayne Malone and together they had 3 children: Rodney, Doran, and Dorinda. This union ended in a divorce.

In 1955 she moved to Illinois to be near her family. Bernetta began to raise her children in Kings. While working at Walgreens in Rochelle, she met her soon to be husband, Harold DeShazo, who impressed her with a boat ride on the Rock River and dates in his fancy Chevrolet. They were married December 5, 1958. With the marriage came his 3 sons: Mike, Larry, and David.

Harold and Bernetta celebrated 43 years of marriage until he passed March 22 ^nd ,2001. They worked hard together and were a great team...growing large vegetable and flower gardens; running a home greenhouse business; owning the Kings Grocery Store; ending most days praying the Lord's prayer, but best of all- operating the local post office.  Bernetta was the Post Master at Kings for over 35 years. She was known by all and loved by the children in particular. Whenever they turned 5, she would invite them to the lobby and teach them how to open their mailbox. With 3 numbers to learn, the soon to be Kindergartner was successful.

After Harold died, Bernetta moved to Rochelle to begin apartment living. It fit her very well and she had many adventures with new and old friends…going to garage sales, lunches out with those friends, playing Bingo, exercising, and enjoying the Kentucky Derby with her then friend, Mary.

In August of 2015, Bernetta moved out to Rapid City, SD to be near her daughter. She was able to meet new friends and enjoy great-grandkids. Her caregivers loved her very much and delighted in her sense of humor. Celebrating her 99 ^th and 100 ^th birthdays were with family, friends, and pie!! Due to Covid, her #101 was celebrated in her then home, Avantara Arrowhead Healthcare Facility, through her bedroom window!! #102 was a big hit with the local newspaper with encouraging letters from Governor Kristi Noem and Senator Mike Rounds. #103 was spent sharing desserts with her many friends.   Bernetta was always welcoming people into her room with a "Hello, Hello, Hello!!"

Bernetta took her last breath at 10 am, July 30 ^th . She will be greatly missed but so fondly remembered.

Thankful for having known Bernetta and living life with her: children Rodney Malone(deceased), Doran Malone(wife Karyll, deceased), and daughter Dorinda Hays, Dee(husband Michael); 5 grandsons, 8 great grandchildren; the DeShazo step sons Mike, Larry(deceased), and David(deceased, wife Judy); one sister, Ruth Fell and sister-in-law, Rosemary Kingsbury and many nieces and nephews. The family wants to thank the many dear and precious friends and caregivers who Bernetta loved on and who, in turn, cared for her deeply, particularly in her later years.

A Memorial service will be held in Kings, Illinois at Elim Reformed Church on Saturday, September 3 ^rd at 11am. All are welcome to come and celebrate Bernetta's life. Lunch will be served immediately afterwards. In lieu of flowers, honorariums may be sent to your local Hospice.  To drop the family a note, email deeh.refc@gmail.com