Margaret Lamb Bernhardt, age 91, of Edinboro, died after a period of failing health on Sunday, May 25, 2008 at Edinboro Manor where she had resided for almost two years. Born on October 8, 1916 in Erie, she was a daughter of the late Frank Myron and Margaret Phillips Lamb. She married Fredrick J. Bernhardt on January 3, 1939 and he preceded her in death in September 1984.
Bernhardt, Margaret LambMrs. Bernhardt lived in Edinboro until 1976 and then in Tucson, AZ and Tampa, FL for many years until 2005 when she moved back to live with her son and daughter-in-law in Albion. She was always proud to be a mother and housewife and felt blessed to live the life of a “farmer’s wife”.
A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she loved her family and loved serving her Lord. As a faithful member of McLane Baptist Church, she served as Vacation Bible School director for many years, was a Sunday School teacher and Youth Group leader, was active in the Ladies Missionary Society, and she knew the importance of attending the Wednesday night Prayer Meetings. As a housewife, she was always busy at perfecting her skills at cooking, baking, and making crafts. Many people over the years have enjoyed her pies and her knitted and crocheted items. She liked to travel with her husband and together they had visited 48 states. At the age of 71, she had the opportunity to hike at the Grand Canyon.
In addition to her husband, Fredrick J. Bernhardt, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Nora and Dorothy, and four brothers, Frank, Richard, Ralph, and William.
Family members that survive include a daughter, Judith Kloss of Erie; two sons, David Bernhardt and his wife Bonnie of Edinboro, and Richard Bernhardt and his wife Nancy of Albion; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; a sister, Elaine Roach of Erie; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral services will be there on Saturday at 11:00am officiated by Rev. Michael Bryant, pastor of Fairview Bible Church. Interment will follow at McLane Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Erie City Mission.