Bernadine Utterback Cranmer

DeLois Bernadine Ecker was born August 22, 1930, in Elgin, KS, to George and Murtie Ecker.  Bernadine attended Sedan High School, graduating in 1949. After graduating high school, she married her high school sweetheart, Glynn Utterback, on January 1st, 1949.

Glynn joined the Air Force and was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico where their first child, Bryan was born in 1953. After discharge from the Air Force, the family moved to Wichita and Corbin, KS. Glynda was born in 1957.  They then moved to Caldwell in 1960, and in 1963, the family grew again when Brent was born.

Bernadine was a homemaker and was active in the Caldwell Methodist Church. She was a United Methodist Women, Evening Circle, and the Starlight Study Club member. She was active in the Methodist youth group and enjoyed the youth group. She helped start the drive-through nativity scene and spent many seasons dressing the actors in their costumes.Oc

In 1971, Glynn bought the Caldwell Bowl. Bernadine assisted Glynn in running the bowling alley and became an avid bowler. They decided to retire in 1989, bought a motor home and traveled the country. They enjoyed traveling until Glynn’s death in 1991.

In 1994, Bernadine met and married Dale Cranmer. They lived in Caldwell, and Bernadine continued being active in the community. She was a staunch supporter of the Caldwell Blue Jays and rarely missed games. During this time, she mentored many Caldwell students, whom she remembered fondly and was proud of their achievements. Dale and Bernadine often traveled to California to visit the many children and grandchildren from Dale’s family and loved them like hers.

In 2008, after winning a battle against cancer, Dale and Bernadine moved to Baptist Village in Owasso, OK, to be closer to her children. Bernadine enjoyed her many years in the apartment and continued to live there after Dale passed in 2017. On October 8, 2023, she died peacefully in her apartment.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, brother, Clifford Lee, and sister, Geraldine.

Bernadine is survived by her three children, Bryan and Bonnie Utterback, Glynda and John Mcclure, and Brent Utterback; five grandchildren, Jeremy and Courtney Utterback, Jazon and Cassie Utterback, Keri and Jacob Myklebust, Joshua Mandevill, and Danny Botts; and four great-grandchildren, Dakota Tettenhorst, Rachel Myklebust, Bryson Botts, Brayden Botts.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2023 at the Caldwell United Methodist Church. Graveside will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Sedan, Kansas, with Dr. Matt Johnson officiating.

Visitation with family will be held from 1 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 15, 2023, at Schaeffer Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the CHS Alumni Scholarship Fund or to the United Methodist Church and sent in the care of the mortuary.

To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit: www.schaeffermortuary.info

Arrangements by: Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 N. Main, Caldwell, KS 67022.