Bernadine Marie Phabia (Mathern) Bankey, age 98 of Miles City, passed away on December 8, 2015 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Bernadine “Bernie” was born to Ludwig (Lui) Mathern, who was born in South Russia and came to the United States with his parents and five brothers in 1903, and Catherine Mitzel that also was born in South Russia, coming with her parents to the United States in 1899 with both families settling around the Bismarck, Napoleon North Dakota area. After their Marriage in 1913, Bernie’s parents homesteaded near Elmer, Mt., on the Acorn Flats, which is approximately 32 miles northeast of Ingomar and 60 miles northwest of Forsyth. Lui and Catherine Mathern had seven children of which Bernadine was the third oldest. The family went through tough times with the drought, depression and heavy debts, but always had food to share with strangers or friends when they stopped to visit. They also provided food for the Freedom Movement in Europe for the starving people, even though the food was sparse for the family. Born in a sod hut with the aid of a mid-wife, because of the distance to a doctor, July 29, 1917, as was the common practice at that time, also had no legal birth certificate, was to obtain her social security with a verified witness document. Later her dad built a wooden framed house for the family, after finances allowed it. The Elmer School was short distance from the home Lui would often be heard yelling for the kids to come and help. Bernadine started her education at the school, continuing through the eight grades and went to Ingomar for high school and boarding. She finished the freshman year of high school and started the sophomore rear and because of finances had to leave school. In 1935 she came to Miles City looking for employment and knowing nothing about the city life. She started working in the kitchen at the Holy Rosary Hospital, which is now the cornerstone apartment. After working at the hospital a short time, she went to work at the George Frye household as a housekeeper and care taker for Mrs. Frye until she recovered from an accident involving a Greyhound Bus. After Mrs. Frye’s Recovery, Bernie went to work at the county farm in the kitchen. The building that she worked in was northeast of the existing county shop. She worked for several years at the farm until finances at the county farm would not allow employment. With the lay off at the farm she went to work for the Crow Rock Ranch as a cook and met Mervin Bankey, who was working as a sheep tender. July 1938 Bernadine Mathern and Mervin Bankey were united in marriage in Miles City, Mt. Bernie worked several other jobs until the first child, Eugene, was born March 22, 1940 and stayed home with the second child a daughter, Eugenia, was born exactly two years later, to the our and minute on March 22, 1942.
After the two children were old enough, Bernie went back to work to help with the finances. The jobs included the Met Café, (for Pete Lucas), Renwick and Torgerson Drug, Cooking for the Miles City Club for several years, receptionist for Dr. Lloyd Bowman for four years, having to quit to move to Glasgow as Mervin was transferred by the V.A. When the government had cut backs at the Air Base, they moved back to Miles City and Bernie began working for the Eastern Montana Industries when they were located at the Custer County Fair Grounds and moved with them when they moved to their present location on Haynes Ave, as a supervisor. She worked for EMI for seven and one half years, when she had to quit to have open heart surgery and two years later another serious surgery.
She was recognized for good cooking and was asked by many in the community to prepare meals for families having receptions and other family functions.After this she did a lot of volunteer work in the community, at the V.A. gospital, RSVP, Holy Rosary Hospital Auxiliary. Convent Keepers, Milwaukee Railroad Auxiliary, Range Riders Reps. Sacred Heart Alter Society and at the Eagles Manor. She received awards of Recognition from EMI, Holy Rosary Auxiliary, and from the RSVP for her work , receiving the Presidential Award for her volunteer service to the community.
Bernadine is survived by her children and their spouses, Eugene (Connie) and Eugenia (Dale), eight grandsons, Barry (Susan) Oost, Mark (Tammy) Oost, Scott (Kym) Oost, Michael (Sherri) Oost, and Jeffery (Maria) Bankey, Jamie (Traci) Bankey, Justin (Jamie) Bankey, Jared Bankey, 13 great-granchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, a sister-in-law Alice Spear-Bankey. She is preceded in death by her brothers and sisters and their spouses: John Mathern, Anton (Allowice) Mathern, Joseph (Marie) Mathern, Clara(Alvin) Schiffer, Barbara (Pete) Kaberline, George (Florence) Mathern. Brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and spouses: Alfred (Ellen) Bankey, Fern Ratliff, Thurman (Alma) Bankey, Victor “Bill” (Lydia) Bankey, Lavern (Dave) Thatcher, Irene Bankey. Nephews: James V. (Lois) Schiffer and his son Jim Schiffer.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the new addition to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015 with a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of committal will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
6:00 p.m.
Friday December 11, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
2:00 p.m.
Saturday December 12, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Rite of Committal
following funeral service
Saturday December 12, 2015
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
6:00 p.m.
Friday December 11, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
2:00 p.m.
Saturday December 12, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Rite of Committal
following funeral service
Saturday December 12, 2015
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
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L Gray says
My condolences to the family at this very difficult time. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. May you find comfort in God’ word the Bible at Revelation 21:3,4.
Jared Bankey says
IN LOVING MEMORY OF A DEAR GRANDMA
It’s always sad but comforting
to silently recall
your smile and dear familiar face
so loved by one and all
For the world may keep turning
and change from day to day
but previous memories of you
will never fade away
And here’s hoping that this message
which carries so much love
will somehow find its way to you
in heaven up above
It’s to let you know, dear Grandma
that, although you are rest
you’ll live forever in the hearts of
those who loved you best.
I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU!!!!
You were one of a kind and a very special lady.
Jeanne Green says
Sorry for the loss of Bernie. She was always wondering where she was.. Now she knows that she is in a safe place.
Shannon Holmen says
I was saddened to hear of sweet Bernie. She and I worked together at EMI where she was sincerely loved by her clients. She cut the cake at my wedding, and was such a cheerful soul. I will miss her too. My prayers.
Maureen Larson says
Dear Bankey family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve the loss off your loved one. May your memories sustain you during this difficult time. God’s blessings to you all!
Judy Wolfe says
So sorry for your loss. Bernie was such a great lady. All of our hopes are to live a long and happy life as she did.
Stan & Sharon Clelland says
Dear Ones,
So sorry to hear about Bernie passing. We have eye appointments in Billings on Friday and will be home Saturday late, but our prayers are with the family. I was lucky enough to eat her food as Gena and I were good friends, she was a wonderful lady whom I was very fond of. She will be missed by many, but set such good examples for her family and their friends. Prayers to all of you!
Jack and Clare says
Dear Gene and Connie, We are so sorry to hear of your Mothers passing. She was a wonderful lady and I’m so glad I got to know her. Sincerely Jack and Clare
Stefanie (Jacobsen) Pickering says
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Stefanie, Dean, Nathan, Katie and Jonathan Pickering
Diane Grutkowski says
I am sorry to hear about my friend, Bernie. Oh how I loved visiting with her at HRH these last few years. I loved her sense of humor. She was a grand lady.
Peggy Kelly says
Gene & Eugenia,
I have many great memories of Bernie from when I worked in the nursing. I loved finding her in the dining room playing the piano and I especially enjoyed when she would visit me in my office. I know how much you loved her and I know you will miss her very much. I am so sorry for you loss, Bernie was a wonderful person.
Jim & Lavina Hall says
We were sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a great lady, always friendly and upbeat. I’m sure it’s where you got it from. The Lord rewarded her with a good, long life and I’m sure she is enjoying her eternal reward with her loved ones.
Kristi (Schiffer) Valentine says
So sorry to hear of Aunt Bernie’s passing. My condolences to the family. I used to love going to her house in Miles City and visiting, and the CANDY!! Loved her little black dog she had – a brother to the dog I was given by my gramma (Clara).