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Mary Bernadine "Bernie" Ward was born February 18th, 1929 to John and Pearl VanTine in Latah County, Idaho. She grew up on the family ranch and attended school in Colfax, WA where she graduated from Colfax High School. She attended Washington State University in Pullman, majoring in Physical Education and Health where she was a member of a championship girls field hockey team, among several other activities. Upon graduating from WSU, Bernie spent her first summer break as a teacher working in a cannery where she met Pete Ward. They were soon married. In 1953 they had their first son, Patrick Ray. A short year later in 1954 they had another baby boy, Myke Daniel. In 1955 they rounded out their family with a third son, Dennis Lee. In the late fifties they settled in the Willamette Valley near Broadacres and Bernie started her 30 year career at North Marion High School. She started out as a girls PE teacher and began her lifelong passion for young people in sports. Bernie was a pioneer in girls sports in a time where money, opportunity and support was slim. She retired as a counselor in 1991 after Pete's death. Aside from teaching her passion was in animals. She had an eye for pretty horses and collected many over the years. Every spring you could find a bumper crop of premium foals and calves on Olmstead Rd. Among her favorite horses were Dobie, Jessie, Cassie and Zoti, along with Patti and Sheena. Where you found horses and cattle you also found some pets with personality, beginning with Clancy, Sam, Pretzel, Reno, Penny, and finally Trixie and Joey. Bernie found a great pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and supported them in each of their endeavors, from 4-H and FFA to sports, clubs and beyond. She also spent countless hours volunteering with the American Legion Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary and other veterans related organizations and other community service related groups. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Aurora where she found love for the Lord and the congregation. Most recently before she became ill, she spent two weekends engrossed in the Jr American County and State Baseball tournament where she supported another generation of North Marion students in their athletic endeavors. Bernie passed away early Saturday August 29th in the Salem Hospital after a brief bout with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Pearl VanTine, a sister Elaine VanTine, brothers Bob, Norm and Harold VanTine, her husband Pete Ward and a son, Myke Ward. She is survived by her sister Patricia Johnson of Asotin, WA, her sons Patrick Ward and his wife Vicky of Canby and Dennis Ward and his wife Kathy of Gervais and Myke's wife Lanette Hatfield of Marietta, GA. Five grandchildren: Sarah, Amber, Craig, JC and Kate. Seven great-grandchildren: Addie, Chris, Peyton, Ben, Wesley, Riley and Olivia. She is also survived by many loving friends and hundreds of North Marion graduates whose lives she has touched. In the weeks leading up to her passing she spoke of continuing her legacy at North Marion by creating a fund for students needing athletic equipment, safety equipment or a scholarship to play. Her first mission: to raise money for AED's at the athletic complex at North Marion, for even in the end she thought of others. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to the"Team Grandma Bernie" Fund, to fulfill her wishes of continuing to support North Marion's athletes for years to come. Memorial service Sat. Sept. 26, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Christ Lutheran Church- Aurora, OR ARMT. By Simon-Cornwell Colonial Chapel- Woodburn

Tributes

Mary Bernadine Ward

February 18, 1929 - August 29, 2015