Barbara Jean Summers Bernatz
1928 - 2010
Barbara Jean Summers parents were Leland F. "Lefty" and Veva E. Benson Summers. She was born in Hamilton, Montana, on January 24, 1928, and raised in Darby, Montana, until her mother's death when she was seven. After that, she and her older brother, Bob, were raised by relatives until her father was able to raise them. Her uncle "Hub" owned and operated the Darby Mercantile; he built and established the Sula Store. Barbara grew up working in the family business. After graduation, Barb worked as a medical receptionist for Dr. Gordon and a bookkeeper at the old Bernatz Oil Company in Hamilton for several years.
She met her future husband, Fred, in the eighth grade and rekindled their friendship after his return from service in China and Japan with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. She married Fritz in 1948. They lived and worked in Hamilton, having two children, Ben and Brooke, their marriage lasted over 52 years.
In the early ‘50s, Fred's exposure to the world and international affairs led them from the Bitterroot to Phoenix, Arizona, where they attended the Thunderbird School of International Management. Barb tended to the kids, enjoyed the sun, and upon graduation, set off on a 15-year worldwide international adventure with Fred. They lived in Sydney, Australia, for over 10 years.
Assisting her husband with his career and tending to her kids, she was a good mom, wife and friend. Barb was also a gifted artist. She loved Cocker Spaniels, knitting and cards (especially Bridge). She was lucky, highly intelligent, and possessed great wit and insight. She had a competitive nature and was blond, blue-eyed, and good-looking.
In 1967, Barb and Fred, concerned about their children, gave up their careers and returned to the Bitterroot where they owned and operated numerous business and real estate investments.
They had a giving nature and often contributed for the community's best interest in land, money, and time. Barbara loved golf and baseball (especially the Yankees). She was a Republican and an early Presbyterian, converting later in life to the Catholic faith (Thank you Father Jack and Sister Margaret).
Loyal and direct, she was strong, and not afraid to state her opinions. She was independent, outspoken, a great hostess and representative of America overseas.
After raising her children, Barb focused on her own career and went to work for Paine-Webber, becoming a stockbroker, and eventually, an administrative vice-president, traveling the country while based in Spokane, Seattle, and New York. She retired to Mesa, Arizona, where she continued to work part-time after Fred's death in 2000.
Barb was personally successful. She managed and maintained a substantial personal estate, while remaining true to her conservative heritage. She took care of her family in life and in death. She returned to Hamilton in April 2010, and died from the effects of her 50-year smoking habit.
She is survived by her brother, Bob and family, in Oregon; her son, Ben (Debbie), of Hamilton; daughter, Brooke (Pat), of Alaska; grandsons, Mike (Erin), Jeff and Paul; numerous nieces and nephews.
Barbara was proud of her heritage and descended from the early pioneer Chaffin family who had the firstborn "white" boy born in the Bitterroot. An unusual fact is that her husband, Fritz, was descended from the Dobbins family, also an early pioneer family who had the firstborn "white" girl in the valley, a fact, they both had fun with. She was a fifth generation Montanan.
Barb's family had a pre-revolutionary history, including a great-great uncle who was killed at the Alamo with Crockett in 1836. Her family came out of Tennessee and Alabama drifting to the unsettled territories in 1860, avoiding the politics of the Civil War. They were largely southern, soft-spoken and fiercely independent Americans. Barbara reflected their traits. She traveled the world extensively and lived a good and high life. She loved her family and went out on her own terms.
We hope she can find her way to heaven but being extremely left-handed, it might have affected the way she went. It certainly affected the way she did stuff here.
Private family urn placement will take place at Riverview Cemetery. A celebration of life service for family and friends will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
The family suggests memorials to the Bitterroot Historical Society or St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton.
Original obituary published by:
--Ravalli Republic | Hamilton, Montana | 28 Sep 2010
1928 - 2010
Barbara Jean Summers parents were Leland F. "Lefty" and Veva E. Benson Summers. She was born in Hamilton, Montana, on January 24, 1928, and raised in Darby, Montana, until her mother's death when she was seven. After that, she and her older brother, Bob, were raised by relatives until her father was able to raise them. Her uncle "Hub" owned and operated the Darby Mercantile; he built and established the Sula Store. Barbara grew up working in the family business. After graduation, Barb worked as a medical receptionist for Dr. Gordon and a bookkeeper at the old Bernatz Oil Company in Hamilton for several years.
She met her future husband, Fred, in the eighth grade and rekindled their friendship after his return from service in China and Japan with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. She married Fritz in 1948. They lived and worked in Hamilton, having two children, Ben and Brooke, their marriage lasted over 52 years.
In the early ‘50s, Fred's exposure to the world and international affairs led them from the Bitterroot to Phoenix, Arizona, where they attended the Thunderbird School of International Management. Barb tended to the kids, enjoyed the sun, and upon graduation, set off on a 15-year worldwide international adventure with Fred. They lived in Sydney, Australia, for over 10 years.
Assisting her husband with his career and tending to her kids, she was a good mom, wife and friend. Barb was also a gifted artist. She loved Cocker Spaniels, knitting and cards (especially Bridge). She was lucky, highly intelligent, and possessed great wit and insight. She had a competitive nature and was blond, blue-eyed, and good-looking.
In 1967, Barb and Fred, concerned about their children, gave up their careers and returned to the Bitterroot where they owned and operated numerous business and real estate investments.
They had a giving nature and often contributed for the community's best interest in land, money, and time. Barbara loved golf and baseball (especially the Yankees). She was a Republican and an early Presbyterian, converting later in life to the Catholic faith (Thank you Father Jack and Sister Margaret).
Loyal and direct, she was strong, and not afraid to state her opinions. She was independent, outspoken, a great hostess and representative of America overseas.
After raising her children, Barb focused on her own career and went to work for Paine-Webber, becoming a stockbroker, and eventually, an administrative vice-president, traveling the country while based in Spokane, Seattle, and New York. She retired to Mesa, Arizona, where she continued to work part-time after Fred's death in 2000.
Barb was personally successful. She managed and maintained a substantial personal estate, while remaining true to her conservative heritage. She took care of her family in life and in death. She returned to Hamilton in April 2010, and died from the effects of her 50-year smoking habit.
She is survived by her brother, Bob and family, in Oregon; her son, Ben (Debbie), of Hamilton; daughter, Brooke (Pat), of Alaska; grandsons, Mike (Erin), Jeff and Paul; numerous nieces and nephews.
Barbara was proud of her heritage and descended from the early pioneer Chaffin family who had the firstborn "white" boy born in the Bitterroot. An unusual fact is that her husband, Fritz, was descended from the Dobbins family, also an early pioneer family who had the firstborn "white" girl in the valley, a fact, they both had fun with. She was a fifth generation Montanan.
Barb's family had a pre-revolutionary history, including a great-great uncle who was killed at the Alamo with Crockett in 1836. Her family came out of Tennessee and Alabama drifting to the unsettled territories in 1860, avoiding the politics of the Civil War. They were largely southern, soft-spoken and fiercely independent Americans. Barbara reflected their traits. She traveled the world extensively and lived a good and high life. She loved her family and went out on her own terms.
We hope she can find her way to heaven but being extremely left-handed, it might have affected the way she went. It certainly affected the way she did stuff here.
Private family urn placement will take place at Riverview Cemetery. A celebration of life service for family and friends will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
The family suggests memorials to the Bitterroot Historical Society or St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton.
Original obituary published by:
--Ravalli Republic | Hamilton, Montana | 28 Sep 2010
Barbara Jean Summers Bernatz
1928 - 2010
Barbara Jean Summers parents were Leland F. "Lefty" and Veva E. Benson Summers. She was born in Hamilton, Montana, on January 24, 1928, and raised in Darby, Montana, until her mother's death when she was seven. After that, she and her older brother, Bob, were raised by relatives until her father was able to raise them. Her uncle "Hub" owned and operated the Darby Mercantile; he built and established the Sula Store. Barbara grew up working in the family business. After graduation, Barb worked as a medical receptionist for Dr. Gordon and a bookkeeper at the old Bernatz Oil Company in Hamilton for several years.
She met her future husband, Fred, in the eighth grade and rekindled their friendship after his return from service in China and Japan with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. She married Fritz in 1948. They lived and worked in Hamilton, having two children, Ben and Brooke, their marriage lasted over 52 years.
In the early ‘50s, Fred's exposure to the world and international affairs led them from the Bitterroot to Phoenix, Arizona, where they attended the Thunderbird School of International Management. Barb tended to the kids, enjoyed the sun, and upon graduation, set off on a 15-year worldwide international adventure with Fred. They lived in Sydney, Australia, for over 10 years.
Assisting her husband with his career and tending to her kids, she was a good mom, wife and friend. Barb was also a gifted artist. She loved Cocker Spaniels, knitting and cards (especially Bridge). She was lucky, highly intelligent, and possessed great wit and insight. She had a competitive nature and was blond, blue-eyed, and good-looking.
In 1967, Barb and Fred, concerned about their children, gave up their careers and returned to the Bitterroot where they owned and operated numerous business and real estate investments.
They had a giving nature and often contributed for the community's best interest in land, money, and time. Barbara loved golf and baseball (especially the Yankees). She was a Republican and an early Presbyterian, converting later in life to the Catholic faith (Thank you Father Jack and Sister Margaret).
Loyal and direct, she was strong, and not afraid to state her opinions. She was independent, outspoken, a great hostess and representative of America overseas.
After raising her children, Barb focused on her own career and went to work for Paine-Webber, becoming a stockbroker, and eventually, an administrative vice-president, traveling the country while based in Spokane, Seattle, and New York. She retired to Mesa, Arizona, where she continued to work part-time after Fred's death in 2000.
Barb was personally successful. She managed and maintained a substantial personal estate, while remaining true to her conservative heritage. She took care of her family in life and in death. She returned to Hamilton in April 2010, and died from the effects of her 50-year smoking habit.
She is survived by her brother, Bob and family, in Oregon; her son, Ben (Debbie), of Hamilton; daughter, Brooke (Pat), of Alaska; grandsons, Mike (Erin), Jeff and Paul; numerous nieces and nephews.
Barbara was proud of her heritage and descended from the early pioneer Chaffin family who had the firstborn "white" boy born in the Bitterroot. An unusual fact is that her husband, Fritz, was descended from the Dobbins family, also an early pioneer family who had the firstborn "white" girl in the valley, a fact, they both had fun with. She was a fifth generation Montanan.
Barb's family had a pre-revolutionary history, including a great-great uncle who was killed at the Alamo with Crockett in 1836. Her family came out of Tennessee and Alabama drifting to the unsettled territories in 1860, avoiding the politics of the Civil War. They were largely southern, soft-spoken and fiercely independent Americans. Barbara reflected their traits. She traveled the world extensively and lived a good and high life. She loved her family and went out on her own terms.
We hope she can find her way to heaven but being extremely left-handed, it might have affected the way she went. It certainly affected the way she did stuff here.
Private family urn placement will take place at Riverview Cemetery. A celebration of life service for family and friends will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
The family suggests memorials to the Bitterroot Historical Society or St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton.
Original obituary published by:
--Ravalli Republic | Hamilton, Montana | 28 Sep 2010
1928 - 2010
Barbara Jean Summers parents were Leland F. "Lefty" and Veva E. Benson Summers. She was born in Hamilton, Montana, on January 24, 1928, and raised in Darby, Montana, until her mother's death when she was seven. After that, she and her older brother, Bob, were raised by relatives until her father was able to raise them. Her uncle "Hub" owned and operated the Darby Mercantile; he built and established the Sula Store. Barbara grew up working in the family business. After graduation, Barb worked as a medical receptionist for Dr. Gordon and a bookkeeper at the old Bernatz Oil Company in Hamilton for several years.
She met her future husband, Fred, in the eighth grade and rekindled their friendship after his return from service in China and Japan with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. She married Fritz in 1948. They lived and worked in Hamilton, having two children, Ben and Brooke, their marriage lasted over 52 years.
In the early ‘50s, Fred's exposure to the world and international affairs led them from the Bitterroot to Phoenix, Arizona, where they attended the Thunderbird School of International Management. Barb tended to the kids, enjoyed the sun, and upon graduation, set off on a 15-year worldwide international adventure with Fred. They lived in Sydney, Australia, for over 10 years.
Assisting her husband with his career and tending to her kids, she was a good mom, wife and friend. Barb was also a gifted artist. She loved Cocker Spaniels, knitting and cards (especially Bridge). She was lucky, highly intelligent, and possessed great wit and insight. She had a competitive nature and was blond, blue-eyed, and good-looking.
In 1967, Barb and Fred, concerned about their children, gave up their careers and returned to the Bitterroot where they owned and operated numerous business and real estate investments.
They had a giving nature and often contributed for the community's best interest in land, money, and time. Barbara loved golf and baseball (especially the Yankees). She was a Republican and an early Presbyterian, converting later in life to the Catholic faith (Thank you Father Jack and Sister Margaret).
Loyal and direct, she was strong, and not afraid to state her opinions. She was independent, outspoken, a great hostess and representative of America overseas.
After raising her children, Barb focused on her own career and went to work for Paine-Webber, becoming a stockbroker, and eventually, an administrative vice-president, traveling the country while based in Spokane, Seattle, and New York. She retired to Mesa, Arizona, where she continued to work part-time after Fred's death in 2000.
Barb was personally successful. She managed and maintained a substantial personal estate, while remaining true to her conservative heritage. She took care of her family in life and in death. She returned to Hamilton in April 2010, and died from the effects of her 50-year smoking habit.
She is survived by her brother, Bob and family, in Oregon; her son, Ben (Debbie), of Hamilton; daughter, Brooke (Pat), of Alaska; grandsons, Mike (Erin), Jeff and Paul; numerous nieces and nephews.
Barbara was proud of her heritage and descended from the early pioneer Chaffin family who had the firstborn "white" boy born in the Bitterroot. An unusual fact is that her husband, Fritz, was descended from the Dobbins family, also an early pioneer family who had the firstborn "white" girl in the valley, a fact, they both had fun with. She was a fifth generation Montanan.
Barb's family had a pre-revolutionary history, including a great-great uncle who was killed at the Alamo with Crockett in 1836. Her family came out of Tennessee and Alabama drifting to the unsettled territories in 1860, avoiding the politics of the Civil War. They were largely southern, soft-spoken and fiercely independent Americans. Barbara reflected their traits. She traveled the world extensively and lived a good and high life. She loved her family and went out on her own terms.
We hope she can find her way to heaven but being extremely left-handed, it might have affected the way she went. It certainly affected the way she did stuff here.
Private family urn placement will take place at Riverview Cemetery. A celebration of life service for family and friends will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
The family suggests memorials to the Bitterroot Historical Society or St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton.
Original obituary published by:
--Ravalli Republic | Hamilton, Montana | 28 Sep 2010
Gravesite Details
Interment - 29 Sept 2010
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