Bernice F Huyser

On the evening of April 13, 2018 in the home of her daughter and son-in-law Janice and Bernie Busovne in Niceville, Florida, Bernice Huyser passed away peacefully at the age of 90.  God had called her home to join Him and her beloved husband Jan who preceded her in death on September 27, 2016. Bernice was born in Perth Amboy, NJ to Lester and Julia Torok and was proud to be a first generation American.  She had two siblings:  Robert Torok, who resides in Connecticut with his lovely wife Sue and Mary Ann (Torok) Neiger, who also resides in Connecticut with her wonderful husband Ed.  Bernice was a trail blazer for both her family and her generation.  She attended Rutgers University and graduated with a Bachelors degree. She worked for a time in the textile industry in New York City, commuting home to Perth Amboy, NJ.  Bernice was identified as a high potential candidate for management and was in charge of material procurement for several mills until she left that job when her mother took ill, and started her teaching career in Perth Amboy, NJ.  In the year of 1954, Bernice cruised on the Holland American Westerdam ship to Europe and this is where she met her to-be Dutch husband Jan. They fell in love on that cruise and when they parted ways (Jan to The Netherlands and Bernice to Perth Amboy) they corresponded by mail for a year. In 1955 Bernice traveled back to The Netherlands to marry Jan and later also got married in Bernice’s family church in the US.  Jan and Bernice enjoyed 61 adventuresome years together.  They had three daughters; Margaret (Huyser) Ristola married to Patrick, Caren (Huyser) Martino, married to Jim and Janice (Huyser) Busovne married to Bernie.  They also thoroughly enjoyed their 7 grandchildren: Amy Rose Martino (89), Julia (Busovne) Williams (90), Garrett Martino (91), Nathan Busovne (93), Jonathan Ristola (95), Susan Ristola (97) and Katherine Ristola (2000).  Bernice led an amazing life as the wife of a US Army Officer, mother to her children and Granny to her beloved grandchildren.  Bernice continued to teach and was very active in the schools and the Catholic church for the 20 years her husband was in the Army.  When they retired to Niceville FL in 1977, she continued teaching, became very involved in The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and was a founding member of Christ our Redeemer Catholic Church in Niceville FL.  Her love of God translated to how she taught and how she nurtured her family.  Additionally, she was an avid artist and has left her many paintings and ceramics to her children and grandchildren.  She is best known for her loving, graceful acceptance of life, and to always look for the best of a situation.  Bernice was on Hospice Care the last few years of her life, and the family is expressing heartfelt thanks to her caregivers of Emerald Coast Hospice, Cheri Denney and Deena Bryant. Bernice and her family are especially grateful for Beverly Krupp, her primary caregiver and Muranda Balentine, also her caregiver. These amazing caregivers not only provided comfort and care but also friendship and affection which was extended to our mother and to our entire family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Emerald Coast Hospice so their humanitarian work may continue.    Please join us at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church, 1028 White Point Rd, Niceville, Monday, May 21 at 11:00am for a Memorial Mass and Gathering to follow.

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