Berdena M. "Bernie" Gartner

Berdena M. “Bernie” Gartner, 89, of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2013, at Elwood Care Center. Bernie was born October 13, 1923, in Edison, Nebraska, to Hugh and Bernice (Stevens) Deselms, the second of 4 children. The family moved to the Albin, Wyoming area when she was a child. She graduated from Albin High School in 1941. She was united in marriage to Ray Monk in Kimball, Nebraska on September 13, 1942, just before he left for the Navy during WWII. The couple had four children. Throughout the years they lived in many different places. They lived in California for a time when Ray was in the Navy. They also lived in Wyoming and multiple towns throughout Nebraska. The couple owned and operated several different businesses throughout the years. They divorced in 1977. Bernie was then married to John “Red” Gartner on October 13, 1979. The couple traveled extensively throughout the United States and they took cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. Upon their retirement 25 years ago, they wintered in Pharr, Texas. In addition to their extensive travels they were avid golfers. She also loved to read, cook, and sew. Red and Bernie were huge Nebraska Cornhusker football fans. Bernie had an unusual situation growing up in her family. She had multiple double cousins, as her mother and two of her aunts married brothers. Needless to say, they were always a close-knit family and remained so to this day. Bernie is survived by her husband, John “Red” Gartner of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; four children; Bonnie Newman of Lyons, Colorado; Dennis Monk of Keystone, Nebraska; Jon Monk of Grand Island, Nebraska; Patrick Monk of Denver, Colorado; two stepsons, Rick Gartner of Kearney, Nebraska and Jim Gartner of Lincoln, Nebraska; eleven grandchildren, many great-grandchildren; a brother, Lyle “Jack” (Anne) Deselms of Lebanon, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Norma Deselms of Albin, Wyoming and Delores Monk Bennett of Oxford, Nebraska; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Kenneth Deselms; sister, Margie Butler; her children’s father, Ray Monk; daughter-in-law, Sandi Monk, and stepson, Adam Gartner. Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 1, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington with Reverend Caroline Vickery officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, March 31, 2013, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington. Burial will be later that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the Elwood Care Center. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.