Berlina Ann Heward

Berlina Ann (Christensen) Heward, 92 of Medicine Bow, Wyoming passed away September 14, 2018 peacefully surrounded by family.

Berlina was born January 28, 1926 to Otto and Anna Margaret (Hood) Christensen, in Illwaco, Washington.  She left her family home, known as “the ranch” at fifteen and headed to Seattle where she got a job in a shipyard as a welder during the war efforts.  After a shipyard accident she became a riveter for Boeing.  Due to her petite frame and size, she was able to work in the wings of the planes.  She also did gymnastics for the USO during this time.

She met her husband, John Heward at a USO Dance where he was stationed for the Navy.  John and Berlina were married on June 5, 1945 in Washington.  They had a daughter Sherry and later moved back to Wyoming to be closer to John’s family.  In 1949 they purchased the “Two Bit Ranch” east of Medicine Bow where they had two more children, Ronald and Robert.

Berlina loved being a ranch wife and all that went with it.  She loved going camping and snowmobiling with her friends and family.  She was an avid supporter of her town and took great pride in it.  She could be found in her younger years participating in the town “Bow Days” celebrations as a dance hall/saloon girl playing an active role in the melodrama and the “Hanging of Dutch Charlie” skits.  Berlina fought long and hard to get a swimming pool in the town with a group of her lady friends.  Berlina could be found for numerous years serving lunches at the Bow Basin School.  She was an active member of the Carbon County Cowbells organization, The Wyoming Stock Growers Association, was a den mother for the local Cub Scouts and taught gymnastics to the local youth.

After retiring from the ranch, Berlina and John moved into the town of Medicine Bow where she had more free time to play cards and visit with her friends.  Berlina and John enjoyed wintering in Arizona as well as traveling all over the world.

Berlina was a great friend, sister, mother, grandmother and always went above and beyond for those she was close to.  She enjoyed hosting parties and gatherings, making and sharing Scottish shortbread, gardening and reading.

Berlina was proceeded in death by her father Otto Christensen; mother Anna (George) Gillman; husband John; son Ronald; siblings: Earl, Ida and Muriel.  She is survived by her daughter Sherry (George) Robinson; son Robert (Sharon) Heward; daughter-in-law Linda Heward; sister Dolly Phillips; 11 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial Service will be held at the Medicine Bow Community Center on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Medicine Bow Senior Center or the Medicine Bow Museum.

Seagulls

Seagulls, Seagulls,

Soaring in the sky

With wings that take

you oh so high.

And then you drop to

the shimmering sea

With a triumphant cry

Aloof, you fly so proudly free

~Sherri Robinson—Berlina’s daughter