Bernadette A. Reimers a resident of the Hillsboro community passed away on March 4, 2025 a her home

Bernadette (Berna) was born on July 4, 1934 in Verboort, Oregon. She was the 9th of 13 children, born to Albert & Catherine (Hillecke) Peters. All of her education was received in Verboort. She graduated from Visitation grade school in 1948 and Verboort high school in 1952.

Growing up in a farming family, she was introduced to long, hard days of work at a young age, helping take care of her younger brothers and sister. She then began working in the fields hoeing, picking crops, and driving trucks and tractors. After high school, Berna also did clerical work. 

On October 5, 1957, she was united in marriage to John Reimers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Roy. They resided in Verboort for their 1st year and a half of marriage and started their family. They then purchased a 12 acre farm East of Hillsboro, where they extended their family. In 1968, they bought land on Morgan road and hired her 2 brothers to build their new home. They enjoyed raising strawberries and beef. Berna took great pride in her garden, working to grow the tallest corn in the county. Berna continued working with her brood of kids to help her brothers on their farms after her strawberries were harvested. 

Berna loved being a mother and homemaker to her four children. She enjoyed canning her fruits and vegetables. She sewed clothing for her children and grandchildren, donating the extra clothing she sewed to St. Matthews fall bazaar. She looked forward to the annual camping and crabbing trips to Nehalem Bay. She would always bake pies the morning before leaving on their camping trips, so we could enjoy them for dessert. There were always cookies in the cookie jar, a cake or pie on the counter. Her grandkids loved to dip their grilled cheese sandwich in her homemade applesauce, especially if it was a batch with red hots. Berna also enjoyed sitting outside with an ice cream cone, as she watched the happenings in the neighborhood.

She worked outside the home for 14 years, cleaning new homes for local builders and her brother's rental homes when needed.

She was a member of St. Matthews Altar Society and the “Holy Roller” pie makers for St. Matthew parish dinners.  She was a member of the St. Matthew parish quilters for many years. She also enjoyed bowling in a Hillsboro league.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, after 54 years of marriage. Her parents, Alfred and Catherine (Hillecke) Peters, her siblings, AnnaMarie, Francis (Tats), Norbert (Norrie), Wilfred (Fritz), Stanley, Leander, Barbara, Helen, Paul, and her grandson Scott Reimers.

Berna left us on March 4, 2025 at the age of 90.  She is survived by her four children; Kent Reimers, Frank (Karen) Reimers, Lynn (Randy) Posch and Jill (Don) Welch. Also surviving are nine grandchildren; Allan Reimers, Robert (Jennifer) Reimers, April (Jeff) Oster, Stacey (Brendon) Fisher, Kevin Posch, Sarah (Alex) Dustin, Samantha (Andrew Thiessen) Posch, Jason (Lorynn) Welch and Lanea Welch and twelve great grandchildren; Truth Reimers, Emerson Reimers, Alivia and Eli Oster, Lucas and Andrew Fisher, Ryder Posch, Braxton and Evelyn Dustin, Rhett and Raegan Thiessen, and Norah Welch. She is also survived by siblings; Lawrence (Jackie) Peters, Kenny (Arlene) Peters, and Kathleen Sahlfeld.

We would like to thank Silver Bells Adult Care Home for the excellent care they provided to our mother all these years.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in the memory of Berna Reimers, can be made to the Visitation Catholic Church Alter Society, in Verboort, Oregon