Bernice Mackersie

Bernice Olive Butts MacKersie, died Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at Parkhaven Retirement and Assisted Living in Manhattan, Montana. Bernice was born to George and Irene Richardson Butts on July 14, 1909, in Nevis, Minnesota. In 1912, the family moved to Barryton, Michigan, where Bernice attended school and graduated in 1927. She received a business degree from Davenport Business College in Grand Rapids, and then worked for General Motors in Flint, Michigan until she enrolled in Central Michigan College, Mt. Peasant. She received her B.S. degree and in 1932 began her teaching career in country schools before becoming a full-time teacher at Barryton Rural Agricultural School. On August 27, 1934, she married Russell MacKersie in Toledo, Ohio. For many years she was the high school business teacher, and a few years before her retirement in 1973, she taught fourth grade. She directed many junior and senior plays and was the girls’ high school basketball coach in her early teaching years. After her retirement, she wintered in Florida and spent most summers in Montana with her daughter and family until moving there in 1984. She loved her family, the outdoors, traveling, reading and was a devout Christian. She was a member of the Barryton Church of Christ, and the Barryton Rebekah Lodge. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brothers William and Harland Butts, and sister Mildred Hyatt. She is survived by daughter Marcia (Max) Durgan, sister Margaret Tice, grandsons Greg, Kevin and Kirk (Victoria) Ance, granddaughter Susan Salsman, great-granddaughter Jessica Kolb; step-grandchildren Stephen (Ann) Durgan and Carmen (Chuck) Heister; step-great-grandchildren Katie & Joseph Durgan and Rylee, Lauren and Faith McNeill, and many nieces and nephews. Graveside memorial service and interment of ashes will be held in Flake Cemetery, Barryton, Michigan, at a later date.