Helen Agnes Bernard (Christopher)

Helen Agnes Christopher Bernard, 86, Vermillion, passed away December 29, 2018. Born February 20, 1932, to John and Agnes Christopher, Helen was raised and educated in Irene, South Dakota.
On December 27, 1950, Helen married Jerry Bernard in Mayfield, SD, at St. Columbia Catholic Church. Jerry and their son, Philip, preceded her in death.

Helen was deeply committed to her Catholic faith, and the love of her faith continues to be an example for her family. Her always warm and welcoming smile will never be forgotten.

Helen especially enjoyed having all of her family home for holidays. She always served plenty of food and baked treats. During the holidays, she would make oodles of homemade candies and cookies that she would share with family and friends. Helen loved playing cards and games with her children and grandchildren. She spent many years in the summer and fall canning vegetables, making jellies and jams, and making her often requested barbeque sauce.

After having been a homemaker for many years, Helen served as a cook at St. Agnes School, where all of her children attended. She then worked in the food service department at the University of South Dakota for 25 years.

Helen is survived by nine of her children, Chris (Donna) Bernard, Jefferson, SD, and their children Jill Kamradt, Dakota Dunes, SD, and Sara (Jason) Moret, Sioux Falls, SD, and grandchildren Kenadi and Kolton Kamradt and Isabella, KeShawn, and Devin Moret; Jim (Brenda) Bernard and their daughter Leah, Sioux Falls, SD; Ann (Kelly) Ryan, Waukee, IA, and their children Neal (Mickey) Ryan, Waukee, IA, and Gina (Joe) Smith, Des Moines, IA and grandchildren Gabriella Ryan and Amelia Ryan; Terry Bernard, Vermillion, SD, and his children Carly (Donald) O’Connor, Burbank, SD, and Jaime (Michael) Drees, Sioux Falls, SD, and grandchildren Haley and Kinze O’Connor and Payton, Joseph, and Wyatt Drees; Deb Bernard, Bellevue, NE, and her daughter Amy (Joel) Woods, Bellevue, NE, and grandchildren Colin, Anna, and Madeline; Richard Bernard, Yankton, SD, and his son Branden Bernard, Box Elder, SD; Karen Heege, Sioux Falls, SD, and her daughter Margaret, Sioux Falls, SD; Mary (Bob) Woods, Lincoln, NE, and their children Melisa Zingler, Lincoln, NE, Megan (Andrew) Brown (Topeka, KS), Maria Woods (Lincoln, NE) and grandson Matthew; David (Joan) Bernard, Dayton, MN, and their children Christopher Bernard, Minneapolis, MN, and Cecilia Bernard, Des Moines, IA.

Helen is survived by two sisters, Pat Lyle, Beresford, SD, and Margaret Manning, Vermillion, SD.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 3, at St. Agnes Catholic Church from 5:00-7:00 with the rosary following at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Vermillion, SD, on Friday, January 4, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. Agnes Calvary Cemetery, Vermillion, SD.

Memorials can be sent to Ann Ryan, 873 SE Williams Ct., Waukee, IA, 50263.