Berner, Marian Wilma 1920-2013

BERNER, BANTHIN, DIERCKS, HARDERSEN, SIMMONS, WITTE

Posted By: Ruth - Volunteer
Date: 5/13/2013 at 19:01:48

Marian W. (Mrs. Kenneth) Berner, 93, of rural DeWitt, Iowa, died early Thursday morning, April 25, 2013 at The Alverno in Clinton, Iowa.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 28, 2013. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2013 at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Bliedorn, Iowa. Vicar Michelle Kanzaki will officiate. Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Saint John’s Lutheran Church.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Kevin Berner, Kenny Berner, Jr., Michael Witte, Dean Pingel, Douglas Berner and Dusty Berner and great-grandsons, Jeffrey Witte, Matt Smith, Brent Smith, Jeremy Anderson, Joe Anderson, Jason Anderson, Steven Pingel and Michael Davis.

Mrs. Berner, the former Marian Wilma Banthin was born April 23, 1920 in Hamburg, Germany to Joahanas and Catherine (Diercks) Banthin. She and her mother emigrated to the United States as a young girl. Her mother married Alvin Hardersen who together raised her. Marian married Kenneth Carl Berner on June 21, 1939 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clinton, Iowa. They farmed and raised their family in the Calamus and Grand Mound, Iowa, area. Ken and Marian resided at rural DeWitt since 1979. He preceded her in death on June 11, 2012.

Marian was a member of Saint John Lutheran Church, Bliedorn for many years. She was an adventurous lady, who drove tractor on the farm, learned to water ski at 56 years old and did so until she was almost 80 and could be found riding the rides at Adventurland and other amusement parks before her grandchildren did. She loved the roller coasters and wasn’t scared of much. Marian’s hobbies included bowling, boating, crocheting, camping, cards and bocce ball. She cherished family time and the years wintering at Punta Gorda, Florida.

Survivors include children, Joyce Simmons and her husband, Don of rural DeWitt, Judy
Witte of Davenport, Iowa, and Donald Berner and his wife, Marty of Mount Vernon, Iowa; 20 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Marian was preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth W. and Deborah Berner; a grandson, Brian Berner; her parents and a brother, Johnny Hardersen.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com