Berneda C. Ward

Berneda Catherine Ward, 93 of Mapleton, died Friday, March 17, 2017 at her home in rural Mapleton.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Monday March 27, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church in Mapleton with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Beauford-Morrow Cemetery. The family prefers memorials be given to St. John Lutheran Church and Mayo Hospice. Olson-Tichenor Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Berneda was born August 23, 1923 to Chris and Bertha (Vekre) Johnson in Lyra Township in rural Blue Earth County. She graduated from Mapleton High School in 1940. On December 25, 1943 she married Darwin Ward. Together they raised two children, Darla and David. Before marriage, she worked as a Nanny in Mankato and after her marriage to Darwin she lived and worked on the farm in Beauford Township. Berneda was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Blue Earth County Extension, Mapleton Garden Club, Beauford 4-H Leader, and volunteered at Farm America in Waseca. In her free time, she enjoyed traveling to visit family and flower gardening. Berneda will be remembered as a hardworking, artistic, and loving grandmother who will be greatly missed by many.  

Berneda is survived by her daughter, Darla (Dennis) Larson; son, David (Lucy) Ward; grandchildren, Erica (Troy) Stucki, Nina (George) Sanford, Tara Larson, Thad (Malinda) Larson, Matthew (Chelsie) Larson, Miles (Angie) Ward, Shawn (Carrinda) Ward, and Christie Kotasck (Aaron); 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Irene Cumming Foster; and brother-in-law, Elwood Ward. She is preceded in death by her husband, Darwin in 2007, brothers, Gerald and Dale Johnson; sisters-in-law, Viola and Jean Johnson and Marlene Ward; brothers-in-law, Stuart Cumming and Bud Foster; two nephews; one niece; and one grandson.