Bernice Mae (Oetjen) Grable, 87, of Auburn was born June 4, 1937 in Auburn, Nebraska to Fritz William and Christina Viola (Lampe) Oetjen. She lived and grew up southeast of Howe where she attended Burke country school and then Stella grade school. Bernice graduated from Stella High School with the class of 1955. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, Nebraska. After graduation, Bernice worked at Tushla Hospital in Auburn. On April 18, 1958, Bernice was united in marriage to Harlan Grable at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn. To this union, 5 sons, David, Wayne, Daniel, Roger, and Dennis "Larry", were raised in Auburn, Nebraska. Harlan passed away on July 28, 1997.

Bernice supported the church as a Sunday school teacher and as a Luther League sponsor. In addition, she was also a member of the Fireman's Auxiliary, supporting the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department and Harlan who served for many years as a member of the fire department and rescue squad, including 12 years as Fire Chief. Bernice also had a long working career of 35 years with the Nemaha County Hospital first as a Nurse's Aide, and then in the Physical Therapy department for the majority of her career.

Bernice passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of eighty-seven years, eleven months, and five days. She is preceded in death by parents; husband Harlan Grable, parents in-law Carl & Hilda (Kuhlmann) Grable, two sons, Wayne and Daniel Grable, her sister Marlene Gerdes and her husband Lloyd Gerdes, and brothers and sisters in-law: Robert Pence Jr, Merlan Grable and his wife Linda, Jorene (Grable) Schlueter and her husband Stan Schlueter, Michael Smith, and nephew Craig Gerdes.

Survivors include her sons: David Grable and wife Marlene of Nebraska City, NE; Roger Grable and wife Sherry of Johnson, NE; Dennis "Larry" Grable of Auburn, NE; daughter in-law Wendy Grable of Lincoln, NE; 10 grandchildren: Sarah (Antone) Barton, Joshua Grable, Melissa (Marc) McMurray, Matthew (Angel) Grable, Jessica (Kieth) Hart, Nicholas (McKenzie) Grable, Benjamin (Roxanne) Grable, Sidneiy (Drew) Trepanier, CadyLynn (Kalem) Saunders, and Riley Grable, 13 great-grandchildren, her sister Judy Pence of Kearney, MO; sisters-in-law: Marcia (Grable) Smith of Nebraska City, NE; and Yvonne Grable of Auburn, NE; along with many family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, Nebraska with Pastor Jackie Gfeller officiating. Interment will immediately follow services at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Auburn.

Visitation will be from noon-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Hall Funeral Chapel, 707 15^th Street in Auburn, Nebraska. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn.