Obituaries )6',)2

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Born on February 20, 1927, in Witten, South Dakota. He attended a rural one room elementary

school and graduated from Bennett County High School in May 1945.

Inducted into the Army, October 1945, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. Served in Korea 19461947. He returned to South Dakota to be a ranch hand until 1950. His teaching career began then in a one room rural

school. He attended the Black Hills Teachers College. In 1959-1960 he taught 8th grade and coached two elementary school teams at Kodoka, SD. He moved his family to Soledad, California, in 1961, teaching at the elementary school. In 1967 he moved his family to Upper Lake and taught in Lakeport. He taught 7th, 5th, 4th and 3rd grades, retiring after 26 years in Lakeport, 43 total years teaching.

Married Joyce Spencer in 1952 to her death in 2000. They had three children, Steve, Joe and Shelly; six grandchildren, Michael, Tracie, Chrissy, Laura, Kevin and Jason; and nine greatgrandchildren, Alexis, Caitlin, Zander, Ryan, Brayden, Vance, Dominic, Chase and Antonio.

Married Roberta Tawney, July 2005, becoming the step-father to Char, Debbie, Jackie and Phil.

He served as Treasurer of the Lake County Retired Teachers Association 1994-2006. He served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Ukiah Valley Horseshoe Pitchers Association. Served as Esquire, Lecturing Knight and Loyal Knight of the Lakeport Elks #2704.

Bernie enjoyed family, playing horseshoes, dancing, his friends and meeting his former students and hearing or reading about their successes.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; daughter, Shelly; step-daughter, Jackie; granddaughter, Laura and grandson, Kevin.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary FD1336 (707)263-0357, www.chapelofthelakes.com