With her loving family gathered around her, Bernice Yacko, passed away September 8, 2011, at the Franciscan Hospice House in Tacoma, Washington. Bernice was born August 18, 1923 in Carter Nine, Oklahoma, a Carter Oil Field Company. Her family moved to several oil fields for her Dad?s work during her childhood. After graduating from high school in Afton, Oklahoma in 1942, Bernice met and married a local coal miner, Howard ?Bud? Offutt. The young couple left Oklahoma and moved to the Tri-Cities, Bremerton, then to California in search of better work and working conditions. Buddy became a well-known and respected building contractor in Sacramento and Bernice was always his bookkeeper. Their company was Sequoia Pacific Construction. Bud died of Black Lung Disease in 1972. John Yacko, also widowed, met Bernice at a seniors dance in Pasco, Washington. Their relationship quickly blossomed and they were married on Bernice?s birthday, August 18, 1990. Bernice always had an adventurous spirit. She loved to follow John on exotic trips around the world, her favorite being their trip to Africa. She was a Mariners fan ? win or lose! She loved the outdoors, a pretty flower, a squirrel, an ?ol dog, to catch a fish, share a sandwich under the shade of a tree. She loved music, she sang, but her most favorite thing in the world was to dance with John. She was fortunate enough to dance up until the last few weeks of her life. Bernice used her light bright attitude and contagious smile to live her life to the fullest. To know her was to love her! Bernice Yacko was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard Offutt, her parents Jean and Myrtle Dunlap, and her two sisters Doris Scioli and Jeanne Gilmore. She is survived by her husband John, four nieces and three nephews. Bernice will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 24, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Kennewick. Memorial services were held last week in Gig Harbor.