Kenneth R. Berns March 15, 1934 to February 25, 2018

Kenneth R. Berns was born March 15, 1934 at the “Craig Place” south of Bladen, to Henry PF and Blanche (Kaufman) Berns. He departed this life on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 at the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings at the age of 83 years, 11 months and 10 days.

A lifelong resident of the area, Ken was raised in rural Bladen and received his formal education attending the Five Star and Catherton rural schools. He graduated from Bladen High School with the class of 1952. He continued his studies at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. After a year in Lincoln, Ken delayed his college to serve his country with the United States Army. He was inducted on March 3, 1954 and was stationed in Germany with the 6th Armored Division as a Small Arms Repairman. Following his discharge on Jan. 28, 1956, Ken returned to the University of Nebraska where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1959, with Highest Distinction.

He was united in marriage with LaVeda Mae Karr on June 8, 1958 at the United Methodist Church in Bladen.

Ken was employed as a high school teacher for 24 years, but spent his life teaching. He loved to engage people in teaching moments, be it about his beloved John Deeres or any of a myriad of other subjects. In addition to his teaching career, Ken also embarked on his farming career at the same time. He was a member of the Blue Hill American Legion Post and the Bladen United Methodist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Henry PF and Blanche Berns; mother and father-in-law, Mathilda and William Karr; and a granddaughter, Sidney Lynn Berns.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife, LaVeda of Blue Hill; children, Vickie Nolan and husband, David, of Red Cloud, Karl Berns and wife, Lorie, of Blue Hill, Mark Berns and wife, Rhonda, of Blue Hill, Dale Berns and wife, Deborah, of Red Cloud, and Kris Simmerman and husband, Brian, of Clay Center; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; his sister, Geneva Lewis of Bladen; brothers, David Berns and wife, Sharon of Bladen, Richard Berns and wife, Sherry of Othello, WA, and Henry D. Berns and wife, Marilyn of Andover, IL; other relatives and his many friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 1, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Bladen, with Chaplin John Mueller officiating. Interment with military honors was held at the Plainview Cemetery.