Betty “Bernice” Lohman

Betty “Bernice” Lohman, 73, of Sandpoint, Idaho, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and family matriarch passed peacefully Oct. 27, 2014, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington.

Bernice was born on Aug. 28, 1941, in Miami, Florida to the late Preston and Sallie Mae Brinson. She was the sixth of eight children.

At age 19 she moved to Alaska where she raised three children and worked in the restaurant business. During this time she became the president of the Hotel and Restaurant Employee’s Union, Local 878, and worked briefly as a real estate broker.

She opened El Toro Mexican Restaurant in 1982, which she owned until 1993.

She met the love of her life in 1989, Mike Lohman. They married on Oct 19, 1990. In 1994 they opened Hotshot and Cinnamon’s Wasilla Bar, and in 2004 they retired and settled in Sandpoint, Idaho. Bernice split her time between Idaho, Arizona and Alaska, with many trips to visit her grandchildren.

Bernice loved her family dearly, and she made numerous life-long friends wherever she went. She was known for being compassionate, kind and caring. She was also well known far and wide for her cooking ability.

Surviving are her husband, Mike Lohman; five children, Ron (and Carol) Hayes of Anchorage, Brenda Hayes (and fiancé Jason) of Wasilla, Kelly Hayes of Las Vegas, Nevada, stepson, John (and Judy) Lohman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and step-daughter, Christine Lohman of Great Falls, Montana; grandchildren, Cassi, Carson, Camryn, Caitlyn, Steven, Savannah, Julia, Brock, Parker, Jennifer, and Jessica; and several great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her stepdaughter, Beth Rowan; step-granddaughter, Liz Rowan; and sister, Peggy Williams of Valdosta, Georgia, who passed away Oct. 17, 2014.

A celebration of Bernice’s life is at 2 p.m., Nov. 22 at the Wasilla VFW. A reception will follow.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association or the food bank in Wasilla.

Family and friends are invited to sign Bernice’s guestbook online at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.