Lenore M. Bern passed away Thursday November 15, 2012. Lenore came to Richland in 1948 with her husband Donald W. Bern and her two children, Bill and Dawn. She taught at John Ball Elementary School in North Richland and Carmichael Junior High School. When she left the classroom, she was the librarian at first Jason Lee Elementary School then at Carmichael Junior High until she retired in 1981.

Lenore graduated from high school at 16, received a Teaching Certificate from the University of Minnesota and began teaching at 18 in Bennetville, North Dakota. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota and Masters degrees in Education and Library Science at the University of Washington.

Born in Aitkin MN in 1915, to Royal Fred and Georgia Simpson Mackaman, she is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald and son, William; brothers Royal and Fred Mackaman; and sisters Flora Cross and Eva Mackaman. She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Bern; granddaughter, Angela Bern Castagnola, and great grandson, Maxwell Castagnola; and sisters Iva Zanker, Geraldine Pedersen, and Shirley Meyer.

Lenore was a wonderful woman of great good humor, in both wit and constitution; curious, interested and interesting, kind and caring, strong and patient, with a fine intellect and delight in learning that filled her life. All these things, mixed with such love and attention to others, allowed her to share so many gifts with family, friends and students whose lives she deeply touched.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 18th, at 2:00PM, in the Chapel at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland. Inurnment and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.