Berna Newman

Berna Irene Newman, 88, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully onJune 16, 2008, at the Montana Veterans Home, where she spent the last three years of her life.

She was born Nov. 22, 1919, in Remer, Minn., the oldest of 15 children of Leslie Grant and Agnes Irene (Ludolph) Adams.

Berna was a hard-working lady, working at many different jobs throughout her life. She worked until breaking her hip a few years ago, as she couldn't be idle. She had a great love for her family, teaching them all the value of hard work. They were the most important part of her life.

She had a great many interests, as she loved to travel, especially to Minnesota, to visit her brothers and sisters. She had a great love for animals, especially cats and dogs. Rodeos, crocheting and working in her garden with her posies, and baking bread and rolls for her children and grandchildren — as she was an awesome cook — kept her busy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Newman; son Garry Hawkinson; daughter Karen Siefke; granddaughters Gittanna and Taylor; her parents; and several brothers and sisters.

Berna is survived by seven of her nine children, including sons Bill Hawkinson and wife Beverly, of Apache Junction, Ariz., Edward Hawkinson and wife Sharon, of Whitefish, and Brian Newman of Portland, Ore., and daughters Vivian Vanleishout and husband Bill, of Eureka, Sandy Roose and husband Bill, of Eureka, Norma Leib and husband Maurice, of Columbia Falls, and Vicki Parker, of Kalispell; stepdaughter Tammy Selves, of Pocatello, Idaho; sisters Lorraine Zerbe, Alverna Lehman, Eloise Jesertiz, Constance Rauch, Bonnie Waldahl, Judith Johnson and Myrna Paine; brother Marvin Adams; 24 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A service was held June 20, 2008, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery.