Interment in the Vilas Cemetery will follow the funeral service.

On February 14th, 2025, surrounded by all three of her sons, Alyce Berniece Grahn left this world and
was welcomed to her long-awaited home in Heaven.
Alyce Berniece Brooks was born on April 29th, 1933, to Walter and Ida Brooks. She grew up south of
Vilas on a hardworking, typical family farm. One of seven children, she was taught to garden, can
vegetables, work hard, and honor God. At the age of 13 she lost her father, and she, Harold, and her
mother moved to Vilas. Berneice adored her mother and shared a special bond with her siblings,
especially her younger brother Harold her entire life.
When she was a young woman, she met Lawrence Martin Grahn, at the local VFW dance. He
approached her and expressed his interest and wanted to know if she would be willing to write to him
as he was deploying the next day, which she initially declined. At the end of the evening however,
she relented and said she would exchange letters with him. He then asked her if she would be willing
to "give a soldier boy a kiss before he leaves", Which she "allegedly" rejected. Although Martin
always told that part of the story differently.
On May 6th, 1956, Martins' well-known stubbornness prevailed, and he and Berneice were wed.
Martin would remain the love of her life for the next 60+years. This legacy of love and devotion that
they started continues to inspire both their children and grandchildren in the holy covenant of
marriage.
Martin and Berneice began their life together, moving away for a brief few years as Martin worked
on a Seismograph crew. They returned to Baca County, Colorado with a baby boy, Gregory Allen.
While Martin began building a house for their family, Berniece began building a home. Gary
Martin, and Kalen Ray soon followed. Berneice was above all else, a mother to her sons. They
woke every morning to the smell of breakfast being cooked and returned home to a hot meal. She
attended their stock shows, basketball games, and school events. She took them to church, taught
them to love the Lord, she cheered for them, she disciplined them, and she sang to them. With
children come their friends, and Berneice displayed her Christ centered principles in this area also.
She loved, fed, and took care of many other young men besides her own. They too became "her
boys". Her now adult sons marvel at the fact that their mom was ALWAYS there. No one lacked
care, food or love in the home of Berneice Grahn.
Berniece was blessed with a wonderful group of ladies who loved, supported, and served right
alongside her. These lifelong friendships created a close-knit community/family. Her boys grew up
never knowing who exactly was blood related and who was not.
Berniece could be found leading the songs during worship, working in the numerous church
programs, cooking and taking food wherever it was needed. Berneice devoted her life to the Lord.
She worked tirelessly to provide for her own family and shared joyfully with her friends and
community. She raised a garden that fed not only her family but contributed to numerous other
families.
Life did not slow down after raising her sons; a loud and busy home filled with her boys, quickly
became a home filled with her grandchildren. Berniece's life was filled with baking cookies for her
grandkids who would walk to her house after school, attending her granddaughters pageants; sitting
in the August heat watching livestock shows; or attending countless ball games and graduations.
Whether they lived 12 hours or 12 minutes away, her grandkids knew when they came to visit,
Grandma would always have their favorite snacks on hand, and their favorite meal cooking. While
she often defensively claimed her grandkids "were not spoiled! They are well loved". Her
grandchildren can all attest to the fact they were indeed, very spoiled. Much like she did with her
boys; Berneice's grandchildren grew up doted on and adored by their grandma.
Many years ago, Kalen and Lisa asked Berneice what she wanted to be known for; She replied she
wanted it to be said "That she walked with God". And she did. The fruits of her life did not come in
career accolades, money, or titles, but in the lives of her sons, their wives, her grandchildren and her
great grandchildren. Serving her family and others was her pride, joy, and her ministry. She walked in
obedience, she prayed feverishly and loved abundantly. A woman that the Bible describes as a wife
of noble character.
On February 14th, Berneice got to spend Valentine's Day with Martin for the first time in 8 years.
The last months of her life were spent imagining the reunions she would soon have in Heaven and
what it would be like to be in the presence of God. This heart posture gave her family so much peace
in her final days.
She is survived by her three sons and their spouses; Greg and Carol Grahn, Gary and Marsha Grahn,
and Kalen and Lisa Grahn. Grandchildren, Tyson and Erin Grahn, Tanisha and Phil Hinds, Clint
Grahn, MaKayla and Teke Eldridge, Brett Grahn, Allyson and Ricky Contreras, Bryce and Mallory
Grahn, Caton Grahn, and Darcy Grahn. Her 11 GREAT grandchildren- Beau and Briggs Grahn,
Nolan and Easton Hinds, Madilynn Grahn, Aubrey, Grady, and William Eldridge, Saylor and Sage
Contreras, and her newest- Crew Grahn. Her brother Harold "Sonny" Brooks, Sister-in-law Diane
Baxter, Sister-in-law Kathryn Grahn, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Martin, her parents, Walter and Ida Brooks, 3 Angel
babies, sisters Emma, June, and Leona, and brothers Ray and Charles