Mrs. Bernice Elsie Christopher Klaes, a longtime resident of Galveston, passed away January 7, 2007 in Winnie, TX, at the age of 86.  She had been a former 50 year member of Crockett Place United Methodist Church and member of Shady Chapel Methodist Church in Zavalla.

Preceded in death by her husband, Leo M. Klaes, Sr.; sisters, Irene Christopher and Martha Townsend; brother, Abram Christopher, Jr.; and parents, Abram Christopher, Sr., Martha Christopher Hanson and Louie Hanson.  Bernice is survived by her children & their spouses, Leo Klaes, Jr. & Dianne, Winnie, Richard Klaes & Merle, Zavalla, Sharon Marshall & Mike, Santa Fe, Jetty Singletary & Mickey, League City; sisters, Bertha Angel, Texas City, Dorothy Miertschin, New Caney; aunt, Helen Sephol, Galveston; thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 11, 2007, at Hayes Funeral Home, Pastor Joe Beran officiating.  Interment will follow at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock.

Pallbearers are Mike Klaes, Alex Klaes, Brandon Smith, Nickolaus Singletary, Ernest Robles and Doug Rogers.  Honorary pallbearer, Shawn Klaes.

Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, 10412 Highway 6, (409) 925-3501. 

Those who wish may make memorials in the form of donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 6161 Savoy, Houston, TX 77036.  www.hayesfuneralhome.com