Edythe Jeanette Carpenter Bernhart
Edy 'B'
Early Saturday morning, on December 12,
2009, our mother and grandmother, at age 92, slipped quietly home to
her Heavenly Father.
Edy 'B' was born on May 8, 1917, to Fred and
Effie Carpenter, in Reedpoint. MT.
Edythe was the seventh of 13 children, and
spent most of her childhood in Park City, MT.
On June 17, 1941, Edythe married Joseph
Bernhart. They had two children, Gordon and Maxine. After attending
Billings Business College, Edythe went to work in the Business
Office at Deaconess Hospital, where she was employed for 29 years.
Edythe and Joe were charter members of the
Assembly of God Church on 4th and Custer, in Billings. MT. They
faithfully served God together while raising their family. Joe
preceded Edythe in death in 1969.
Grandma Edythe loved to read and knit. All
of her many friends and family members have enjoyed her beautiful,
knitted slippers and afghans.
She is survived by her son, Gordon (Margene)
Bernhart of Billings, and their two sons, Jay (Annie) of Billings,
and Bradley (fiancée, Charlotte) of Portland, OR; her daughter.
Maxine (Richard) Thomas of Billings, step-grandchildren, Dixie (Tom)
Hall, of PA, Mark (Alice) Thomas of MD, and Cary (DeAnn) Thomas of
NM; and 6 step-great- grandchildren. She is also survived by her
brother, Phil (Lila) Carpenter, her sister, Dorothy Archey, a
sister-in law, Irene Carpenter, and 2 brothers- in-law, John
Bernhart, and John Miller. Edythe was blessed with many loving
nieces and nephews and a very special friend, Marian Brandt.
She was preceded in death by her parents,
her brothers, Orville, Robert, Arthur, George, and John and five
sisters, Alta, Alice, Bessie, Luthena and Rosalie.
Our love, thanks and gratitude to the entire
"Family" of the Alzheimer's Unit at St. John's Lutheran Ministries.
We felt so Blessed to have our mother in your loving and
compassionate care.
Memorials may be made to St John's Lutheran
Ministries, 3940 Rimrock Road. Billings. MT 59102.
There will be a Memorial Service for Edy B at The Ocee Johnson Chapel at St. John's Lutheran Home, 3940 Rimrock Road.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I worked with this sweet lady at Deaconess Hospital in the business office back in the 70's. She was always an inspiration to me and one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. I've thought about her so much over the years. We stayed in touch for a long time after I left Deaconess. She was a mentor to me and always had a special place in my heart. I'm so sorry to hear she had Alzheimer's.. I just lost my own mom who was 77 to this terrible disease last month. My heart and prayers to out to your family.
God bless you all.
Diana Phelps
Billings, MT
I remember the special smell of Edy B's apartment on 17th St. It was a different smell than our own home, but still was a smell that reminded me of "home". I remember hand made Christmas ornaments done in years gone by that still adorn our family tree or window sill. I remember fudge making and cinnamon rolls baking during the holidays. I remember crocheted slippers with fuzzy balls done in just the right colors for a young girl. I remember her sweet smile and her sense of humor....and her burning desire to win every single game of Parcheesi or a hand of cards....she gave no quarter. She had a great laugh that could warm a room.....or she could give you the "look" that told you to mind your P's and Q's. We had many Aunts and Uncles growing up due to the large Carpenter family, but Edy B was my favorite Aunt....she will remain a cherished memory and a special family member to meet again on the other side.
Nancy Hill
Niece from Florence, OR.
I had the pleasure & privilege to have known & cared for Edy B. She was one those people who, once you've met them, you are never quite the same. She was so sweet natured, loving, and had the most endearing sense of humor and a smile that radiated through her eyes. I am especially fond of the memories of her with her "ski" vests & stylish sunglasses. I remember how she just beamed when I would tell her she looked just like a movie star fresh of the ski slopes! I know she is in heaven right now & though the world will never be the same without her, those whose lives she touched will stand as a testament to what a phenomenal woman she was! God Bless all of her wonderful family as they cope with their loss.
Sincerely,
Donna (Nadeau) Marek
How we are so thankful for Mama Edy "B!" What a wonderful woman she has been to many, many of us. Edythe would be such a delightful morning greeting at Deaconess just before heading up the stairs to see patients. Edythe would cheer us staff on--that we can keep on "Keeping on"--and with such enthusiastic deep inner joy radiating from her beautiful eyes. How treasured are those memories living on through Maxine and Gordon's families. With great fondness, Katie & Douglas Bagley