Bernice Schlaudt Klein, 88, of Kerrville, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2025, in San Antonio, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 18, 1937, in Fredericksburg, Texas, to Edward Schlaudt and Edna Treibs. After graduating from Fredericksburg High School in 1956, she married Andrew C. Klein, and together they embarked on a life filled with new experiences. As Andrew's construction career took them across Texas, they eventually settled in Kerrville, where they purchased a home nestled in the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country in 1973. Surrounded by rolling hills and a peaceful creek that ran alongside their property, they raised their children, Keith and Sheila, and later welcomed their grandson, Blake, into their lives and home.

Bernice worked for several years as a dental assistant in Kerrville, but it was her long tenure at Kerrville State Hospital that defined her career. During her 34 years of service - retiring in 2021 at the age of 84 - Bernice became more than just a colleague to her coworkers; she formed deep and lasting friendships. Her warm, kind-hearted nature left a lasting impression on everyone she met, and she remained close with her work friends well into retirement. She regularly visited her siblings and their families in Fredericksburg and maintained strong ties with her husband's extended family, even decades after his passing.

She cherished the holiday season, always eager to celebrate with her loved ones. While her hands still allowed it, she found joy in crafting handmade trinkets and decorations that added a special, personal touch to every season. A lifelong woman of faith, Bernice was a dedicated and long-term member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kerrville, where she found community and spiritual grounding. Her faith was not only a guiding force in her life but something she lovingly passed down. She proudly ensured that both of her children and her grandson were raised in the church and confirmed in the same tradition she held dear.

Her life was filled with joy in the simplest of moments. Weekends spent playing dominoes and grilling outdoors with family brought her the greatest happiness. Her love of baking was well-known - she rarely baked for herself, but took great satisfaction in preparing sweet treats for those she cared about. Bernice also enjoyed her daily routine of watching Wheel of Fortune and The Price Is Right - so much so that friends and family knew better than to call between 6:30 and 7 p.m. or around 10 a.m.

Bernice was selfless and always willing to lend a hand to those in need. Whether a family member or a friend, she never hesitated to offer her love and support. Even in her final weeks, she remained focused on others, always keeping her cell phone nearby so she could continue expressing her love to family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Edna Schlaudt; her brothers, Martin and Walter Schlaudt; her sisters, Norma Kneese, Margaret Wilke, and Mary Ann Reeh; her husband, Andrew C. Klein; and her daughter, Sheila Klein. She is survived by her son, Keith Klein of Kerrville, and her grandson, Blake Mobley (Angela) of San Antonio.

A message from the family:
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Chaplain Brandon and all the nurses from Vitas Hospice for their compassionate care. We are especially grateful to the friends and family who traveled to San Antonio to visit Bernice, bringing her milkshakes, treats, and an abundance of love. Your presence meant the world - not just to us, but to Bernice, whose face lit up with every visit.

A memorial service to celebrate Bernice's remarkable life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Kerrville, Texas, on August 10th, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The family invites all those whose lives she touched to join us in honoring her memory and the kindness she spread throughout her life.