Almena ""Mimi Kniss Bernhardt

Almena (“Mimi”) Kniss Bernhardt, 92, of Gering entered eternity on September 2, 2010 at the Lodge at Heritage Estates. She was born on May 24, 1918 in a sod house in rural Bayard, Nebraska to Henry and Amalia Zwetzig Kniss. The family moved to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Colorado before returning to Bayard where her father and her grandfather, John Zwetzig, operated a blacksmith shop. Almena married Albert Bernhardt in Alliance, Nebraska on September 7, 1938. The couple made their home in Bayard where they owned and operated the B & K Feed, Seed and Farm Supply Store in partnership with her father. Almena served as bookkeeper for the firm and was also employed in the office of the Great Western Sugar Company during campaigns. At various times she worked as a sales clerk at JC Penney and Bayard Clothing companies. She served as pianist and church secretary and was a faithful Sunday school teacher at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Bayard. She was a leader of 4-H, Blue Birds, and Camp Fire Girls, was involved in several project clubs, and was a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star. She dedicated her talents as a translator to further the work of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and the local chapter of the Society. Mimi was a generous sponsor of philanthropic and Christian organizations and a devoted caregiver for both her husband and her mother during their long last illnesses. An example of infinite patience, long-suffering dedication, loving self-sacrifice, and deep wisdom, she was admired by a wide circle of family and friends. She is much missed by her survivors: her sister, Edna (Henry E.) Schneider of Gering; her nieces, Tehra Lyn (Jack) Atwater of Rapid City, SD and Fara Joy (Pat) Mawhinney of Wellington, Colorado; her nephews, Richard and Jerry Bernhardt of Bayard and LeRoy (Patricia) Bernhardt of Scottsbluff—by all their families, and by her daughter, Dr. Nancy Bernhardt Holland of St. Albans, VT. Her extended family includes her “almost son” Ron Akers and family of Gering and her “other daughters,” Helen Thompson, Pauli McCarthy, and Coleen Mannering, of Scottsbluff, plus a cadre of conscientious caregivers from Home Instead and the competent and gracious staff at Heritage Estates. Her visitation will be Monday, September 6 from 2-4 p.m. at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel. A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, September 7 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Heritage Estates (2325 Lodge Drive in Gering) with Pastor Ted Meter officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Congregational Church of Bayard, Feed the Children Foundation, or the charity of choice via Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home. Burial will take place at the Bayard Cemetery where Mimi will rest beside her husband, their parents, and her grandfather.