Bernie Schram

Our Mother, Berniece Isabell (Marks) Schram, passed away on October 16th, 2022.  She was 97 years old and is survived by her five children, Jean Bondiett (Bob), Donna Iverson (Leland), Mike Schram, Jill Johnson (Ken), and Jack Schram (Debbie); four grandchildren, Christopher and Daniel Iverson and Griffin and Madison Schram; as well as a great many nieces and nephews.

Her favorite catchphrase was, “I’ve had a wonderful life!”  And she did.

Bernie was born in the farming community of Leroy, Colorado in Logan County on December 3rd, 1924.  She was the fifth of six children born to Elizabeth and Gus Marks and was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings.  She was known as “Hank the hired hand” as she much preferred working outside helping on the farm to being inside working with her sisters.

She was Valedictorian of her high school class and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree and a Lifetime Teaching Certificate at the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley.

After teaching two years in Sterling, Colorado, she moved to Steamboat Springs, where she met her future husband, “Johnny Rainbow”, aka John Schram.  He drove a Rainbo Bread truck at the time.  They married in June of 1950 and moved to Lakewood to raise a family.

From 1953 to 1962, they had five children, and we had a great childhood filled with camping, fishing and trips to Texas to visit Dad’s family. None of us could ever leave the house without hearing “Behave yourself!” from Mom.

Bernie lived her entire life in Colorado. She was on a bowling league for many years and even when her children were grown and out on their own, they knew to stop by the Bowlero on Thursday afternoons to see her friends; women we had grown up with.  This group of friends really knew how to make their own fun, with trips to Hawaii for their 25th wedding anniversary (adults only) and many trips around Colorado.

After John & Bernie became empty nesters, they became more active in the El Jebel Shrine, and specifically the Mariners interbody.  The Mariners liked to take their boats and motorhomes to a variety of Colorado lakes having a great time fishing, eating, and drinking!  Bernie was a very competitive card player and carried her “Casino” with her in the motorhome.  It was a wonderful way to spend their golden years.

They also started spending their winters in Port Isabel, Texas.  A tradition that lasted for 18 years until 2008, when John passed away and hurricane Dolly destroyed their home.  Bernie went down a few more times, but those two events brought their time in Texas to an end.

After kicking around her big empty house for five years, Bernie moved into Eaton Senior Communities, an independent living facility.  She was just two blocks from their first house in Lakewood.  She was very happy there!  She knew everyone within a month of moving and enjoyed many activities like bingo, playing cards, exercise classes and church services.  She lived at Eaton for eight years, until aging started to take its toll and we moved her to an assisted living facility, which was her final home.

In all, she really did have a wonderful life.

There will be a family only service at Fort Logan where she will be interred with her husband.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to one of Bernie’s favorite charities, the Jeffco Action Center at The Action Center Development Dept., 8755 W. 14th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215.

Please share your memories of Bernie and condolences with her family by signing the tribute wall.