Bernice Garretson

In the early morning hours of April 25, 2006, Bernice Garretson rejoined her beloved husband, "Red" Garretson. She would have been 91 years old on May 16, 2006. Bernice was also preceded in death by sisters Lois and Geraldine and brother Jimmy. She is survived by daughter Karla Williamson and son, Michael, of Loveland, and by daughter Jan Hawn and husband, Loel Wooldridge, and son, Gabe Hawn, of Fort Collins. Also surviving are her brothers, Bert Cook, of Colorado Springs, and Ed Cook, of Arizona; and her sisters, Elaine Hayes, of Wyoming, and Mary Lewis, of Montana, along with their families; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Her brother-in-law Cloyd Garwood, of Fort Collins, brothers-in-law Byron and Mervin and sister-in-law Margie Hunt and their families also survive. She leaves behind cherished friends, Diana, Kris, Christian and Katelyn Fahrenbruck, and Kathy Harris. Her constant companion was her beloved calico cat, Trilby. She will be missed by all. Bernice Bernadine Cook was born May 16, 1915, in Mullen, Neb. Her mother, Sadie, died of typhoid fever at the age of 27, leaving her father, Ed, to raise Bernice and her younger siblings, Lois, Jimmy and Geraldine, in Sheridan, Wyo. Soon, Ed asked his sister, Lillian, to move in to help take care of the family. After the kids were grown, Ed remarried and raised a second family. Bernice graduated from Sheridan High School in 1933 with highest honors and went on to teacher's training. She taught school in Sheridan until her marriage in 1937. In those days, teachers had to sign a contract not to get married in order to keep their jobs. During World War II, she worked in an aircraft factory while Red was in the army. After the war, the couple moved to Fort Collins, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Bernice was a housewife and mother first and foremost. Her training as a teacher was put to use as a child care provider, 4-H leader and Sunday School teacher. She worked seasonally for the Larimer County Extension Service. Bernice loved to garden, and her yard was a testament to her skill at nurturing any tiny start into a planting large enough to share with many other gardeners. She loved to sew and taught others to enjoy sewing as well. She was a passionate advocate of animal rights and worked to prevent using animals to test consumer products because of the suffering experienced by test animals. Her faith was a source of strength and comfort throughout her life, and she was active in outreach services. Since moving to Sterling House Assisted Living, Bernice made many new friends and always had a caring word for other residents and staff. A memorial service will be held in three weeks. The service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2006, at the Heart of the Rockies Church, 6501 Brittany Drive. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Larimer County Humane Society, in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.