Bernie Coppin

Berndean Coppin, 82, Bismarck, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014, at Elm Crest Manor, New Salem, ND, with her daughter Marla at her side, after a courageous eleven-month battle with colon cancer. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, July 31, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, with Rev. Thomas R. Marcis, Jr., officiating. A memorial service will be held in Bernie's hometown of Lidgerwood, ND, on Saturday, August 2, at 10:00 am at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, with Rev. Douglas J.D. Bergelin officiating. Cremation has taken place. Burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Lidgerwood. Bernie was born February 22, 1932, at Hankinson, ND, to Charles and Erna Hoefs Kath. She finished her schooling at eighth grade. Thirteen miles between hometowns couldn't keep John Marshall Coppin and Berndean Irene Sophia Kath from saying "I do" on March 11, 1951, in Lidgerwood, ND, during a snow storm! Due to Jack's employment with Soo Line Railroad and Bernie a homemaker, they made a few moves throughout the years, from Fredonia to Valley City and finally to Bismarck, ND, in 1969. On February 8, 1963, they expanded their family by adopting a 3-month old little girl they named Marla Jo, whom they considered "specially picked"! They divorced in 1977 after 26 years of marriage. After the divorce, Bernie was employed by the Uniform Center as a sales clerk, and later with Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center as a housekeeper, where she got hurt on the job and was unable to work any longer. Bernie enjoyed camping and fishing, and was very good at cleaning and fileting fish! She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, and made sweaters, Christmas stockings and more for her granddaughter, nieces and nephews, and anyone who would request one. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and spoiling her one and only granddaughter, Ashlee Marie Schroeder. Some of Bernie's favorite pastimes included, Find-a-Word Puzzles, reading Louis L'Amour books, watching Westerns on TV, listening to "Old-time music", playing card games and putting together puzzles with Ashlee. Bernie was a member of the VFW Post 1326 Ladies Auxiliary, Bismarck Eagles Auxiliary #2237, American Legion Auxiliary, and Zion Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. She knitted and donated hundreds of baby caps to St. Alexius Medical Center, as well as hundreds of caps and mittens to the Veterans Home in Lisbon, ND, and the local Coats for Kids drive every year. Bernie is survived by her daughter, Marla Jo Schroeder, Bismarck; granddaughter, Ashlee Marie Schroeder, Phoenix, AZ; sister, Caroline Kraemer Clifford, Lidgerwood, ND; brother, Roger Kath Mary Kaye, Coon Rapids, MN; sister-in-law, Eleanor Kath, Rapid City, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, John Coppin; her son-in-law, Dennis G. Schroeder Sr.; her parents, Charles and Erna Kath; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Norman and Esther Kath, Herman Kath, Carly Kath and Delores Froehlich; and her sister and brother-in-law, Della and Art Berner.

Bernie Coppin

February 22, 1932 - July 26, 2014