Bernadine, “Bernie” Secrest, beloved mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great grandmother died on September 10, 2026 in Farmington Missouri. She was 92 years old Bernie was born June 27, 1934 in Loveland, Colorado the oldest daughter of Walter and Emma (Nee, Mayr) Heywood.

On March 2, 1952 Bernadine wed Lester Secrest Sr in Cheyenne Wyoming Bernadine and Lester were blessed with four children during their marriage. All of whom were born on or near an Air Force basis. The first a daughter Linda was born in 1954 in Japan, then son Lester Jr was born 1956 in Tampa, Florida, son Thomas in 1959 in Dallas, Texas, and lastly daughter Pauline in 1962 in Everett, Washington.

In 1962 Bernadine along with her family moved to Fairbanks Alaska when her husband Lester was assigned to an air defense radar site near there. They decided to make Fairbanks their home after her husband left the Air Force. She remained there until 2011 when she moved to Roswell, New Mexico with Pauline and Charlie and spent the next six next years in the desert before moving to Caledonia Missouri in 2017 along with daughter Pauline and Charlie where she lived until her passing.

Bernadine owned and operated daycare centers in Fairbanks and North Pole Alaska. She took care of numerous children over many years. Children were her passion. Bernadine also collected Silver spoons from all over the country and the World. She also collected clown figurines, enjoyed country, and western music, word search puzzles along with reading. She especially enjoyed watching birds at the feeder in her window and calves playing in the field t the farm.

Bernadine is survived by her brother Lenard Haywood (Jan) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, son Lester Secrest Jr (Ann) Sioux Falls, South Dakota daughter Pauline Newhouse (Charlie) Caledonia, Missouri, grandchildren Terry Cotton and Yvonne Boyer Anchorage, Alaska, Chris Secrest (Crystal), Emily Secrest (Nick) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Raymond Secrest (Brenda) Ketchikan, Alaska, Boyd Runyan (Sarah) of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, Cody Newhouse (Jaq) Fairbanks, Alaska, Great grandson Skyler Cotton whom she helped raise. Along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bernadine is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Emma Haywood, husband Lester Secrest Sr., brother Ed Haywood, sister Eloise “Lois” Coler, son Thomas Secrest, grandson Chad Secrest, daughter Linda Cotton.

The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Pauline and Charlie Newhouse who took such good care of Bernadine over the last 15 years. Services to honor Bernadine will be held in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Local arrangements were cared for by DeClue Funeral Home.