Edmund George "Cork" Berning, age 80, passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Edmund was born April 16, 1932 at Marienthal, Kansas, the son of Anthony John & Hilda Laura Simons Berning. He was a 1950 graduate of Wichita County Community High School and was a veteran of the United States Army serving from 1953 until 1955 stationed in Germany. On January 20, 1958 he married Evelyn Mae Dechant at St. Mary Catholic Church in Garden City, Kansas. They made their first home on the family homestead in rural Wichita County, Kansas and later moved to Marienthal, Kansas. Edmund was a lifetime farmer and stockman and was very active in his church and community. He was a member of St Mary Catholic Church of Marienthal, Kansas. He was also an honorary lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, having served as Grand Knight, sang in the church choir, and was a member of the VFW. He served on the Wichita County School Board, USD # 467 from 1966 until 1977. His farm and his family were his life and he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Edmund's surviving family includes-
His Wife-
Evelyn M. Berning- Marienthal, Kansas
Five children-
Steve & Debbie Berning- Lakin, Kansas
Carol Berning- Winfield, Kansas
Karen Stallbaumer- Goddard, Kansas
Kevin Berning- Marienthal, Kansas
Keith & Ann Berning- Shawnee, Kansas
Three siblings
Eugene & Marguerite Berning- Leoti, Kansas
Virginia & Arden Knobbe- Marienthal, Kansas
JoAnn Jesko- Hereford, Texas
Eleven Grandchildren-
Kyle Berning, Tanner Berning and Jessica Lohman-Fuller of Lakin, Kansas
Talia Giesick and Whitney Giesick of Wichita, Kansas and Shaina Giesick of Winfield, Kansas, Cody Stallbaumer of Wichita, Kansas, Kyra Stallbaumer of Goddard, Kansas
Nathan Berning, Brooke Berning and Maggie Berning of Shawnee, Kansas
Five great grandchildren
Cade & Jace Berning, Kinzie & Taybree Lohman-Fuller, Parker Campas with another great grandchild expected any day.
His parents and three sibling, Mary Louise Simon, John Berning and Robert Berning precede him in death.
Vigil services will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, January 27, 2013 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Monday, January 28, 2013 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marienthal, Kansas with Father Bernard Felix officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Marienthal, Kansas with full military honors provided by the United States Army Honor Guard, Fort Riley, Kansas. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 pm Friday and from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to the Edmund Berning Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.
