Berniece Like Oct. 4, 1930 – Sept. 7, 2019

Berniece Like, age 88, of Monticello, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 at Pinicon Place, Anamosa following a long illness. Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Tuesday morning, Sept. 10, 2019 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Rev David Raemisch officiated at the services. Friends called after 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello has taken Bernice and her family into their care. Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline. com. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. 

Surviving are two children, Judy (Darwin) Ricklefs, Jim (Carla) Like, both of Monticello, five grandchildren, Matt (Amy) Like, Sara Like, Jessica (Scot) McElmeel, Dustin (Lindsey) Ricklefs, Darin (Samantha) Ricklefs, nine great-grandchildren, Morgan, Keegan, Kylee, Dawson, Dylan, Dalton, Drew, Jared and Austin, and a sister-in-law, Marlene Like. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert in 2011, four siblings, Raymond and Lawrence Kray, Loretta Zimmerman and Doretta Assel. 

Bernice Lucille Kray was born Oct. 4, 1930 at Monticello, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Meta Tapken, Kray. She received her education in the rural schools near her home. Bernice worked at Yeoman’s and at the Button Factory in Monticello. Berniece married Robert Like on June 23, 1951 at Jeffersonville, Ind., while he was in the Army. When he came home from the service they bought his first truck and started Bob Like Trucking. They purchased the Like family farm in 1964 and farmed as well as operating the trucking business. Berniece also worked in the Monticello Community School hot lunch program for 32 years, retiring in 1997. Berniece was a life-long member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. She was an excellent cook and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.