Berniece was born December 26, 1930, in Elm Springs, SD, to Henry and Netti (Horton) Raetz. She was the third of five children.

She married Wayne S. Chord on June 29, 1946, and they were married 63 years. Her early-married life was spent raising four children and furthering her husband's ministry. Berniece and Wayne lived in 7 states and 30 communities over the course of their marriage. She loved to decorate and had the wonderful ability of making a house a home not only for her family but all who visited.

Berniece was never one to sit idle and will be remembered for her unrelenting work ethic. In her lifetime, she held numerous jobs including ranching, beautician, retail clerk, caterer, professional painter, driving a packer steamroller, and all the duties of a preacher's wife. She retired from the Fort Meade Food Service Department in 2008.

Studying her Bible, playing the piano, listening to music, watching westerns, going to rodeos, and riding horse-back were some of the many activities she enjoyed. Her family will forever see her hands clapping upon hearing a rousing gospel tune.

Berniece (Raetz) Chord, a long-time resident of the Sturgis area, went to be with our Lord Sunday the 26th of February at the David M. Dorsett Care Facility in Spearfish, SD.

Left to cherish her memory are her four children and their families, Jackquline (Tom) Lewis of McCook Lake, SD, Roy (Gretchen) Chord of Torrington, WY, Clifford (Arla) Chord of Sturgis, SD, and Jeanette (Mark) Gearhart of Columbus, NE; grandchildren, Teresa (Paul) Wolf, Michelle (Pat Newton) Lewis, Carri (Darren) Odle, Rebekah (Bill) Clemons, Nichole (Scott) Ernst, Rachel (Tyler) Gaither, Cory (Heather) Gearhart, and Ashlee (Jay) Wilson; 17 great-grandchildren; and her many friends. She is also survived by one brother, William (Jo) Raetz of Lubbock, TX; and two sisters, Wanda (Ron) Anders of Sturgis, SD, and Gloria (Larry) Roberdeau of Brandon, SD.

Berniece was preceded in death by her husband; a brother, Warren Raetz; a sister, Ellen (Raetz) Cowen; and one granddaughter, Rebekah (Chord) Clemons.

Memorial services will be held at Believers Fellowship Church, 180 Old Stone Road, Sturgis, SD, on Friday, March 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Following the service, burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery.