BERNS, Anita Marie

Parker Pioneer, Parker, Arizona - Published Wednesday, April 28, 2010 > Aug. 13, 1943 to April 16, 2010 < This is to announce the passing of a fine and beautiful lady, Anita Marie Berns. Anita was born in Spokane, Wash., to Jean Kekich and Aurelio Mariani. She was raised in Missoula, Mont., by her grandmother, Thelma Jean Donathan-Kekich. She graduated from Sentinel High School in Missoula in 1961 and went to Montana State University in Missoula, where she studied business administration. In December 1963, Anita moved to Bellflower, Calif., where she lived with her aunt and uncle and their three children. It was in May 1964 she met Ron Holcombe, whom she married in August of that year. Ron and Anita celebrated the birth of the first child, a son named Daniel, in April 1965. In April 1966, they rejoiced in the birth of their daughter, Rhonda. Ron and Anita divorced in 1974. In 1984, Anita met her husband, Jack Berns, whom she was married to for nearly 16 years (together for 20 years) when he preceded her in death in December 2004. They both now reside together in Heaven. Throughout her life, Anita Berns made an innumerable number of friends. Everyone loved her for her colorful personality, her laughter, and the life she would bring to others. Anita raised her two children virtually on her own and worked hard during their growing years so that her children would never have to go without anything. She was generous to a fault. Anita would go out of her way to help those in distress. Many of the people she would help were strangers. She made very generous donations to many causes and charities. A lot of these were monetary, and about half were through clothes, general items, toys and food. Her two favorite charities, for personal reasons in her life, were the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation and the Salvation Army. When she worked for Kodak for many years, she always made sure these two charities would receive her donations through automatic payroll deductions. On top of that, she would give extra to them throughout the years. Two other charities she supported were the Disabled American Veterans and Rotary International. She also purchased a dog for the Parker Police Department. The most important thing in her life and closest to her heart was her family, especially her two children, Danny and Rhonda. Anita Berns will be sorely missed by all her friends. Anita is survived by her son, Daniel Holcombe, and her daughter, Rhonda (John) Glaze; her grandchildren Sarah, Miranda, Emily and Nathaniel Holcombe; and Anthony and Erik Glaze; her step-son and his wife, Jeff and Nancy Berns; her step-daughter and her husband, Tammy and Bill Beatty; Jessica Berns-Hall, Brianna and Brandon Berns, Sarah and Amy Beatty, and her loving friend, Bert Edmonds. There will be a Celebration of Life for Anita Berns at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10726. The date is pending at this time. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of Lake Havasu City.