Farris Bernard

FARRIS BERNARD
Farris Irene Bernard was born May 29, 1932, to Charles Alvin and Clara Francis (Upchurch) Davison, at home, in the Crete community west of Champion, Ne. There she attended the Crete School and Church.
As a young girl, her mother became ill and was placed on bed rest. Farris became very busy helping out around the house, watching over her younger brother and sister. She learned to cook and used that skill for most of her life.
Farris attended Chase County High School, boarding in town like a lot of the country kids. She and her roommate and friend, Genny, worked for their room and board by cleaning house for their land ladies. One semester they lived in the garage. She graduated in 1950 with many fond memories.
After graduation, Farris married Howard Bernard, on August 25, 1950. The couple moved to Dundy County, where they farmed. They would often get together with neighbors to play cards in the evenings, or spending Sundays with friends, so the guys could get some roping practice in before a rodeo.
Farris and Howard had two daughters, Vickie and Elaine. The girls learned the art of making pie filling to help out when Farris was preparing for the three sale barn cafes she operated. She worked at and ran cafes for Benkelman’s South Auction Barn, Andy Anderson, and the Imperial Auction Market. Over the years she made thousands of pies.
While on the farm, Farris was active in the Hoover School area too, she belonged to the Extension Club, and served on the local Election Board. Farris and other friends shocked cane for area farmers in the fall. In the spring they would help each other dress their frying chickens.
In the early 1960’s, Farris and Howard moved to the Nolan Ranch, west of Champion, She cooked for the Hay crews, or whatever “crew” was there at the time. She would often comment “The time on the ranch was the best.” When the ranch manager retired and all was sold, the family moved to Champion.
Farris and Howard bought the Champ-Inn and operated it for the next three years. They then moved to a farm outside of Champion. Howard farmed and Farris got a bookkeeping job with Central States. They remained on the farm until Howard suffered a heart attack, after which they moved into Imperial. Farris continued to work initially at Central States, then at Adams Bank and Trust, as a loan clerk. She liked people and always enjoyed working with the public. Before Howard’s death in 1994, the couple moved back to the country, making their home near Enders. They traveled the United States, from the south end of Highway #83, to the north, which ends in Manitoba, Canada. Farris continued to belong to a Knitting Club; she loved to crochet, sharing and receiving many patterns. She gave many of the doilies and afghans she produced away to family and friends. Farris enjoyed the friends and friendships made while in the club.
Through all the years, she worked around and with health problems. They began with a broken, shattered ankle; she received while jumping from a wagon. Howard thought the new team of mules was going to break away and told her to jump.
Farris lived at Enders for a few more years, eventually moving back to Imperial. She took up Bingo, going out three times and week and crocheting in between. She continued to struggle with her health until her death. Farris passed away early Tuesday Morning, January 7th, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney, Nebraska. She was 81 years of age.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband; Howard, Sister; Joyce Newman, Nephew: Darin Jay, and Niece, Sheryl Janousek
Survivors include: Daughter: Vickie Beard and Husband, Burton, of Champion, NE Daughter: Elaine Nelson and Husband, Craig, of Hayes Center, NE and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 2 Grandchildren: Charles Beard of Champion, NE Patricia Beard of Hastings, NE 2 Great-Grandchildren: Garrett and Grant Beard of Hastings, NE Brother: Stanley Davison and wife, Betty, of Garden City, MO Brother-In-Law: Dwayne Newman, of Holdrege, NE Nephews and many friends
Funeral Services will be held Monday, January 13, 2014, 11:00 A.M. (MT) at the Frist United Methodist Church of Imperial, with Pastor Valera Heydenberk officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, NE
As per Farris’s wishes there will be no public visitation.
A memorial has been established in Farris’s memory.
On line condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com
LIEWER FUNERAL HOME IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS