Bernadine Alice "Bernie" Lake

Bernadine (Bernie) Pelletier Lake passed away Friday, July 2, 2021 at the age of 84 from a dementia-related disease.

Bernie was born on August 10, 1936, in Missoula, Montana, the only child of Edna and Joseph (Pete) Romaul Pelletier. She attended Bonner Grade School and Sacred Heart High School Academy in Missoula, graduating in 1954. After high school she trained to be an airline stewardess, but because she was not old enough to be a stewardess, they offered her a job as a teletype operator in Dallas Texas. She decided she wanted to stay closer to home, so declined the job, and was hired by a bank in Missoula working as a bank teller, which she really enjoyed.

In April of 1959 she met her husband Don Lake at the wedding of friends. Bernie was a friend of the bride, and Don a friend of the groom. They were paired to walk together at the wedding. After the wedding, they stayed in touch on the phone which began their courtship. Don drove to Missoula to see her several times. They were married November 21, 1959. Because she was a very good seamstress, she decided to make her own wedding dress.

After the wedding, they moved to Ronan. Bernie was a city girl, so life as a farmer’s wife was all new to her. She embraced it and learned to prepare large meals for the harvesting crews, as well as her family. She and Don had six children. She loved baking and trying new recipes. She was a pioneer in preparing gluten-free meals for Don, before gluten-free was even a “thing”. She lived by the motto — Bloom where you are planted.

In addition to raising her family, she supported every activity her children were in, and was a 4-H leader for over 9 years. Bernie was active in the North Crow Creek Women’s Club and Extension Home Makers. She played the organ and piano at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for many years, playing for Sunday Mass, weddings, and funerals. She attended Women’s week at Montana State University several times. For about 10 years she organized and helped participants sew their garments for the local Make It With Wool competition, having several of them advance to the state competition.

Bernie enjoyed gardening — tending her flowers and raspberries. Her years were filled with the joy of being a mom to her children, grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as a wife to their father for over 61 years. She and Don travelled to Arizona during the winter for 20 years. They met many people who became special friends. They had a great time playing music, exploring the desert, and enjoying the warmth of the area.

Bernie is survived by her husband Don, her children, Dan Lake (Jan), Theresa Pearson (Eric), Dave Lake (Lorrie), Pat Lake (Shannon), Ann Lamm (Dwight) and Tim Lake (Chanel), 19 grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 10, 2021, 10:00 am at St. Ignatius Mission Parish. Reception following. Burial will be at the Ronan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Montana 4-H Foundation, 111 Taylor Hall, PO Box 173480, Bozeman, MT – www.mt4hfoundation.org, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America — www.alzfdn.org or to their favorite charity in memory of Bernie Lake.