Bernice was born January 1, 1929 in the St. Paul community of Falls County, Texas, the daughter of Herman and Marie (Neumann) Grams. She married Alfred Pankonien on August 9, 1950 and he preceded her in death on August 30, 1997. Bernice loved cooking, playing dominoes and dancing. She was a member of Meier Settlement United Methodist Church.
She is also preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Kathryn Ann Bailey.
Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn Marie Pankonien of Riesel; sons, Gary Allen Pankonien of Palestine, Illinois, Larry Wayne Pankonien of Laguna Park and Edward Leland Pankonien of Moody; the second love of her life, Edward Vorderkunz of Riesel; brother, Walter Herman Grams of Mexia; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.