Bertha Pauline Warner, 88 years old, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, March 20th. Her mind is now sparkling clear, and her body has been released from its chains. Bertha passed away surrounded by her loved ones and the amazing staff at the Avantara North Long Term Care Center in Rapid City, SD.

Bertha Pauline Warner was born on July 22,1935, to Herb and Pauline (Redmond) Morgan in Custer, SD, along with five brothers and two sisters. The Morgans’ homesteaded on the border of the Badlands National Park and Big Foote Road. Bertha married Clarence (Bud) Roy Warner on August 1, 1954 and ended up farming where she was raised. Bertha and her sister, Bessie O'Bryan, lived only three miles apart. The sisters had married brothers so the double cousins got to spend a lot of time together growing up. Bud and Bertha had eight children: five daughters and three sons, and also raised their granddaughter, Vera Rutherford. Bertha and Bud worked especially hard dryland farming, building up a dairy operation and raising Hereford cattle to sell, while keeping nine children alive.

Bertha was an extremely resilient farm-woman; she labored to keep cattle, chickens and varied other animals alive and producing. Mom didn’t love housework but we always had food to eat and with the help of her daughters there were clean clothes to wear. She loved to read so any free time she had she could be found reading her books. Whenever there were visitors she fried up delicious chicken with mashed potatoes. Her parents lived in Wall so town grocery trips included visits and exploring the family second hand store. Thanksgiving and Christmas were very large and loud celebrations, often with visits from her many siblings, children and eventually grandchildren. She loved her family deeply and enjoyed the gatherings big and small.

Our mom was one of the strongest women we know. Wells were dug by hand, fires fought with wet burlap bags and animals were butchered and processed right on the farm. As our resident nurse, Bertha was quickly on the scene of all traumas; including Dad’s propane tank explosion, Bruce and Dave’s broken bones, Nancy’s airway obstruction, Mary’s broken wrists, Raymond’s leg cramps… we were not coddled but we were alive!

Bertha is survived by her children Christine and Will Foran, Karen and Bill Moore, Mary and Dale Rich, David Warner, Sue and Jim Crossman, Nancy and Dave Verburg, and Ray and Delaine Warner,and Vera Rutherford. Bertha also was blessed with twenty grandchildren, twenty two great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren with one more on the way! She is also survived by her youngest sister, Ethel Gray from Olathe, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bud Warner thirty years ago; also by her son Bruce, her grandsons Sean Crossman and Alex Verburg, her daughter-in-law Sue Eagleson, her sister Bessie and her brothers John, Alfred, Stanley, Victor and Raymond.

We wish to thank all of the friends and family for the many times they visited at the various places she lived throughout her 88 years. She brought many smiles and laughs to the visitors and was very happy wherever she lived.

Funeral services will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024 Freedom Motorcycle Church of Rapid City, SD, at 4813 S. Canyon Road. Brett Hilgemann, along with Ken and Karen Toews of Kadoka, SD, will be officiating.

Family will be at the church one hour prior for visitation.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials and donations can be made in Bertha's honor to the Veterans Honored Interment program (https://veteransfinaltribute.org/get-involved) or the Burundi Food Fund (https://donate.childcareministries.org/special-projects#v8308). Or checks can be made out to the Freedom Motorcycle Church and they will forward the donation.