DeLois Bernadine Ecker was born August 22, 1930 in Elgin, KS to George and Murtie Ecker. Bernadine attended Sedan High School, graduating in 1949. After graduating high school, she married her high school sweetheart Glynn Utterback on January 1st 1949.
Glynn joined the Air Force and was stationed in Roswell, NM where their first child Bryan was born in 1953. After discharge from the Air Force, the family moved to Wichita then to Corbin, KS. Glynda was born in 1957. They then moved to Caldwell in 1960, and in 1963 the family grew again when Brent was born.
Bernadine was a homemaker and was active in the Caldwell Methodist Church. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, evening circle and the starlight study club. She was active in the Methodist youth group and enjoyed the youth group. She helped start the drive through nativity scene, and spent many seasons dressing the actors in their costumes.
In 1971, Glynn bought the Caldwell Bowl. Bernadine assisted Glynn in running the bowling alley and became an avid bowler. They decided to retire in 1989, bought a motor home and traveled the country. They enjoyed traveling until Glynn’s death in 1991.
In 1994, Bernadine met and married Dale Cranmer. They lived in Caldwell, and Bernadine continued being active in the community. She was a staunch supporter of the Caldwell Blue Jays and rarely missed games. During this time, she mentored many Caldwell students, whom she remembered fondly and was proud of their achievements. Dale and Bernadine traveled often to California to visit the many children and grandchildren from Dale’s family and loved them like her own.
In 2008, after winning a battle against cancer, Dale and Bernadine moved to Baptist Village in Owasso, OK to be closer to her children. Bernadine enjoyed her many years in the apartment and continued to live there after Dale passed in 2017. On October 8th, 2023, she died peacefully in her apartment.
Bernadine was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, brother, Clifford Lee, and sister, Geraldine.
Bernadine is survived by her three children, Bryan and Bonnie Utterback, Glynda and John Mcclure, and Brent Utterback; five grandchildren, Jeremy and Courtney Utterback, Jazon and Cassie Utterback, Keri and Jacob Myklebust, Joshua Mandevill, and Danny Botts; and four great grandchildren, Dakota Tettenhorst, Rachel Myklebust, Bryson Botts, Brayden Botts.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2023 at the Caldwell United Methodist Church. Graveside will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, Sedan, Kansas with Dr. Matt Johnson officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Caldwell High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund or to the Caldwell United Methodist Church and sent in care of the mortuary.
