Bernadine “Bernie” James, 85, formerly of Rapid City, died May 24, 2016 in Fort Collins, CO. Services are 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 31 at Kirk Funeral Home, with visitation one hour before. Interment will follow at 12:30 PM at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Bernadine Edith James was born January 10, 1931 to Chester and Hazel (Johnson) Tucker in Park Rapids, MN. On June 10, 1946 Bernie married Gene W. James in Grand Rapids, MN.

From a young age, Bernie and her young family traveled and lived in many places following her military husband around the world. From 1952 to 1955 the family moved to many Air Force Bases in Texas. In 1955 they moved to Tripoli, Libya, in 1956 to Athens, Greece, and in 1957 they moved back to the United States, docking in New York City. In 1958 they moved to Riverside, CA, and from 1960-1967 they called Denver, CO home. The family was located to Ellsworth Air Force Base from 1967 to 1970. They lived in Piedmont, SD from 1970-1998, and later moved to Rapid City, SD in 1998. Bernie moved to Fort Collins, CO to be closer to her son in December 2012.

Bernie was a very talented lady with many hobbies to show for it. She loved quilting, china painting, cake decorating, drapery, hat making, upholstery, cooking, and gardening. She was a woman of deep faith, as she helped with many church camps and was very involved in the Evangelical Free Church community. It was most important for Bernie to live her life on a daily basis before the Lord.

Bernie is survived by her son Chester (Kathy) James, Fort Collins, CO; daughters Nancy (Bryan) Mortenson, Martinez, CA and Ellen (Ronald) Kennebeck, Sturgis, SD; six grandchildren, Joe Pagano, Tiffany (David) Schwab, Tonya Kennebeck, Kip (Amber) Kennebeck, Tanner James, and Ty Tradelius; four great-grandchildren, Jaymin Supulver, Maryn Schwab, Brenden Schwab, and Marisela Sandora; sister-in-law LaMae James; and brother John Tucker, Boise, ID.