Berlina Ann (Christensen) Heward, 92 of Medicine Bow, Wyoming passed away September 14, 2018 peacefully surrounded by family.
Berlina was born January 28, 1926 to Otto and Anna Margaret (Hood) Christensen, in Illwaco, Washington. She left her family home, known as “the ranch” at fifteen and headed to Seattle where she got a job in a shipyard as a welder during the war efforts. After a shipyard accident she became a riveter for Boeing. Due to her petite frame and size, she was able to work in the wings of the planes. She also did gymnastics for the USO during this time.
She met her husband, John Heward at a USO Dance where he was stationed for the Navy. John and Berlina were married on June 5, 1945 in Washington. They had a daughter Sherry and later moved back to Wyoming to be closer to John’s family. In 1949 they purchased the “Two Bit Ranch” east of Medicine Bow where they had two more children, Ronald and Robert.
Berlina loved being a ranch wife and all that went with it. She loved going camping and snowmobiling with her friends and family. She was an avid supporter of her town and took great pride in it. She could be found in her younger years participating in the town “Bow Days” celebrations as a dance hall/saloon girl playing an active role in the melodrama and the “Hanging of Dutch Charlie” skits. Berlina fought long and hard to get a swimming pool in the town with a group of her lady friends. Berlina could be found for numerous years serving lunches at the Bow Basin School. She was an active member of the Carbon County Cowbells organization, The Wyoming Stock Growers Association, was a den mother for the local Cub Scouts and taught gymnastics to the local youth.
After retiring from the ranch, Berlina and John moved into the town of Medicine Bow where she had more free time to play cards and visit with her friends. Berlina and John enjoyed wintering in Arizona as well as traveling all over the world.
Berlina was a great friend, sister, mother, grandmother and always went above and beyond for those she was close to. She enjoyed hosting parties and gatherings, making and sharing Scottish shortbread, gardening and reading.
Berlina was proceeded in death by her father Otto Christensen; mother Anna (George) Gillman; husband John; son Ronald; siblings: Earl, Ida and Muriel. She is survived by her daughter Sherry (George) Robinson; son Robert (Sharon) Heward; daughter-in-law Linda Heward; sister Dolly Phillips; 11 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial Service will be held at the Medicine Bow Community Center on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Medicine Bow Senior Center or the Medicine Bow Museum.
Seagulls
Seagulls, Seagulls,
Soaring in the sky
With wings that take
you oh so high.
And then you drop to
the shimmering sea
With a triumphant cry
Aloof, you fly so proudly free
~Sherri Robinson—Berlina’s daughter
I was so sorry to hear about Berlina. She was a great lady. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
I was surprised to read this tonight. My sympathies. I enjoyed taking Zberlina’s lunch to her. She was always pleasant to me. She was often reading her cat mysteries. I know you are all a strong bunch and will survive but I wish I could make the road easier. I miss and love you.
Berlina was an icon of Medicine Bow. I always thought she was a classy lady. She always looked so nice. My condolences to the family.
I send my heartfelt sympathy to Berlina's Family. There are no words to tell you how I feel. May God Bless all of You. "Rest in Pease Dear Friend."
I spent a lot of time at Berlina's home with her grand daughter, Berlina. She made me feel welcomed and loved. My thoughts are with all of the family.
Many great memories of Berlina and the Heward family. My love and thoughts are with you.
Berlina has been part of my life since day one. She and Johnny were valued friends of my grandparents, Ted and Pat Cronberg. Hope all four are in heaven together. Love to the family.❤️
Our thoughts are with all the Heward family. Bert & Carol Hammond
To the Heward Family: We deeply regret learning of the loss of your dear loved one, but thought you might find these few words comforting. Our hope in seeing our loved-ones again, is heightened by the guarantee cited at Acts 17:31—wherein our Lord Jesus Christ—by his resurrection—makes this certain! Daniel 12:2a, also alludes to this resurrection. However, until the future resurrection of our dear loved ones occur—our Heavenly Father and Creator Jehovah, assures us at Revelation 21:3-5, that death will soon be a thing of the past! Otherwise, his dear son would have died in vain! Therefore, for additional comfort, please visit jw.org Official Website and read about the hope for our dead loved ones [“Can the dead really live again?” Or, watch the brief video: “Is There Hope for the Dead?”]. Then, take comfort from the cited Scriptures as you await the realization of welcoming back your loved one to a restored paradise earth! From: The Manson Family (Ohio)
Sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers! Terry and Sandy Broyles and Family
We were so sorry to hear about Berlina. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Phil and Janet Buchholz
Sorry for your loss. Her and Johnny were great friends to dad and mom. Just a classy lady she was and always will be in my eyes. I love all this family like my own. Sincerely, Shelly Richardson.
You are all in my prayers. I remember playing with Brandi at John and Berlina’s house many times! She was always so sweet to me!
My condolences to the family and friends of Berlina. She was a big part of Medicine Bow life. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Tammy Heine (Dierenfeldt)
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was a great lady and certainly leaves you with a lot of memories.