Bernita Virginia (Beauchamp) Odenbach

Born on a farm 5 miles northeast of Herrick, SD on September 30th, 1929 was the eighth of nine children of Edward and Elsie (Florey) Beauchamp. Officially named Virginia Bernita after a paternal aunt, her mother called her Bernita Virginia. Bernita attended Herrick Public School, 1st-10th grades until 1946 when the school closed due to lack of students. Bernita was the last Homecoming Queen crowned at Herrick. In June, she and a friend boarded the Chicago Northwestern train to Norfolk, NE, where she lived in a boarding room and worked 5 am to 2 pm as a waitress. She returned to the Herrick farm for her Junior year, and the following summer worked as a waitress at Petes Caf in Lake Andes, SD. She graduated from Burke High School in May 1948. Bernita went to Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD in June , and graduated summer school. September of 1948 she began teaching school at Meadow View District #88, north of Bonesteel, SD. During this time a courtship began with Harry Odenbach from northeast of Bonesteel. Their dates consisted of dancing the night away at the Herrick Dance Hall, attending a picture show at the Bonesteel Theater, or visiting friends and family.

Bernita and Harry married on August 10th,1949. They purchased their first home - a trailer to travel with the G. H. Lindekugel Const. crew during the summers. Bernita continued to teach school from fall to spring. In 1953, they moved to the farm where Bernita had grown up northeast of Herrick. Bernita taught at the Teel School, and they farmed and ranched until 1956. In 1956 they purchased their first home on old Hwy#18 in Bonesteel and began a remodeling project that lasted during their ownership. In 1959, they opened the Bonesteel Farm Supply store, with Harry being the mechanic and Bernita tending the counter and the books. In 1961, Harry began his tenure with the State Highway Department, and Bernita kept busy with their two children, Connie and Randy. She enjoyed this time of life. She taught Sunday School, kept up the yard, was a substitute teacher, grew a beautiful garden, canned and froze fruits and vegetables, finished the inside of their home, was an officer in the American Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. In 1963 Harry and Bernita purchased ranchland northeast of Bonesteel. Bernita kept perfect accounting records of all income and expenses.

In 1970 she returned to the work force full time in the Bonesteel school business office as an Administration Secretary. In 1978 she moved to the position of Assistant to the Principle, and continued until her retirement in 1992. In 1988 she worked diligently to recover information to qualify Bonesteel-Fairfax school district for Section II of Impact Aide, which provides vital funds to the present day school system. She also claimed benefits for Andes Central, Platte, Burke, Gregory and Chamberlin schools which paved the way for other SD schools to receive benefits. Bernita enjoyed watching the children of the district progress through the school from their early years to graduation. She enjoyed the opportunity to share schedules and interests with her own children as they grew and graduated from BHS.

Bernita longed for a two-story home, such as she grew up in. In 1974, her dream came true as they purchased their present home. The spacious rooms, fireplaces, and oak foyer were a source of joy for her. She said she felt protected in the home. On December 12th,2007, Bernita made a difficult decision to move into the Haisch Haus as her residence. She enjoyed improved health with the care and consistency provided.

Bernita accepted Christ as a young woman and was baptized on May 22, 1956 by Rev. Saylor at the Hope Congregational Church in Fairfax, SD. This same church was where she was united in marriage and host of her funeral service on February 29th, 2008.

Bernita left this life to join family in heaven on February 25 , 2008 at the age of 78 years, 4 months and 25 days. Left behind to mourn her death is her husband Harry G. Odenbach of Bonesteel, Connie (Lowell) Graves of Phillips, NE, and Randy (Cheryl) Odenbach of Utica, SD. Five grandchildren including, Mark VanHouten (DeAnn Griffith) of Lodgepole, NE, Terri VanHouten of Bassett, NE, Skyler Moore of Edmond, OK, Leslie Graves of Phillips, NE and Brandy Odenbach of Utica, NE. Sister Goldie Hysell of Platte, SD and Don Beauchamp of Parkston, SD., and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lorene Sangster, Ferrell Durfee, Pearl Schwarder, and brothers, Lyle, Ralph, and Wayne Beauchamp.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 10:30 AM at the Hope United Church of Christ in Fairfax, SD. Burial will be in the Rosebud Cemetery, Bonesteel. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 8 PM, with a 7:00 PM prayer service, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.