Graveside services for Bernadine "Berne" Cozad, 92, of Indianola, who passed away Friday, July 26, 2024, will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 3, 2024 in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Bernadine Cozad or Mrs. Cozad to her former students or Berne to her friends, was born on Tuesday, August 3,1931 in Cumberland, Iowa to Leslie Myron and Vera Iona (Crist) Hodges.

After graduating from Cumberland High School in 1948, she enrolled at Simpson College. Berne was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Social Sorority. She was summoned to the Dean's office a few times for missing chapel and getting caught smoking.  She didn't smoke on campus but she and a couple of friends would sit on the curb across from campus and have a cigarette.

Simpson College awarded her a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952 in Home Economics Education.  She student taught at the Indianola Schools and was hired right out of college to teach full time at the high school. She retired from teaching after 25 years and who knows how many students she tried to teach sewing, food preparation, and home care.

Summers were spent doing graduate work at Iowa State University and Drake University.  She completed her thesis and received a Masters in Science in Secondary Education from Drake in 1969.

March 19, 1953, Bernadine and Jacob Cozad were united in marriage at the First Baptist Church in Indianola.

After retiring from teaching, Berne joined Jake working together at the Cozad Insurance Agency.  Both retired from the agency in 1985 and spent their time enjoying their cabin and farm at Leisure Lake in Clarke County.

For over 50 years, Berne was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Order of the White Shrine.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, many wonderful friends and pets.  Survivors include her adopted family Richard and Cathy Ayers, Indianola and Alex Ayers of Washington D.C.

Memorials in memory of Berne may be given to Kiya Koda in Indianola.

We would like to thank Suncrest Hospice and Home Instead for the love and support the last weeks.