Mary Bernd 1925-2025
Our mom, Mary Lawson (Taber) Bernd, the glue that kept our world together for so long, passed away April 9, 2025, at her home in Pawhuska, Okla. She was 99 years old.
She was born on Dec. 18, 1925, in Chula Vista, Calif., to L.A. and Virginia Lawson Taber. They moved to Mayetta when she was five years old. She was raised on a farm and attended school in the Fairview and Mayetta school districts. Through high school she was active in farming, Girl Scouts, music, riding horses and learning to fly at the age of 16.
After her graduation in 1943, she attended Emporia State University. She graduated in 1947 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education. She married Lawrence E. Bernd on July 9, 1949, in McPherson. They resided in McPherson, where she taught P.E. until her boys were born. In 1956 they moved to Pawhuska, Okla.
After her husband Lawrence was killed in 1967, she began working at the Pawhuska Elementary School as a teacher aide. She then worked for Nettie Yarbrough (Yarbrough Tax Service), Kelly and Gambill Law Firm (seven years) and DHS, then began her long career at Dick Conner Correctional Center (Hominy, Okla.), beginning Jan. 31, 1979, until her retirement on May 31, 2004. She held the position of Secretary V (administrative warden’s secretary) for the entire 25 years. Though holding down a full-time job, she continued to do income taxes for various people around Pawhuska.
She loved to travel and went on many bus trips and cruises, and she enjoyed life through the eyes of many. She was a docent at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve for many years, a Girl Scout volunteer, genealogy and an avid bowler in Pawhuska and Hominy, Okla. She loved to play piano and sit on her front porch drinking her coffee. She always made sure we were taken care of, and we always knew we were loved.
Our mother was respected and loved by many and all who knew her. She was a strong, independent woman who always put her family first.
She is survived by her sons: Steve Bernd, Las Vegas, Nev., Stuart Bernd (Stephanie), Pawhuska, Okla., and Mary S. Bernd (James) Luling, Texas; her grandson, Kyle Sisco, Pawhuska, Okla.; her granddaughter, Stacie Sisco Hamilton (James), Mounds, Okla.; and great-grandchildren Kalli, Blake, Dixie and Haylie.
She is preceded in death by her middle son Stan Bernd (Dec. 1, 2017), her husband Lawrence E. Bernd (Aug. 11, 1967), and her parents.
We love and miss you, mom.
A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 13 and mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 14, both at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1314 Lynn Ave., Pawhuska, OK 74056. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mannford, Okla.
Kendrick McCartney Johnson Funeral Home of Pawhuska, Okla., is in charge of arrangements.
(PAID OBITUARY)
