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Bernadine
10-23-2025

Bernadine Jo Johnson (Bernie), 80, of Renner, South Dakota, passed away Thursday October 23, 2025, at the Sanford Heart Hospital. Bernadine Jo Goeres was born October 17, 1945, to Lloyd and Cleo (Alkire) Goeres in Elgin, North Dakota. She was the fourth of five children. Her siblings were Barbara, Beverly, Beatrice, and Bradley. They lived on the farm in Grant County North Dakota until the house was moved into Lemmon, South Dakota so her older sisters could attend

high school. In the sixth grade they moved back to the farm with a moved in remodeled schoolhouse on the foundation of the previous residence.

High school in Lemmon included living with ‘Gram’ during the week and dad waiting on Friday afternoon to get his weekend worker. Graduation from Lemmon High School in 1963 was followed by a summer semester at Bismarck Junior College.

In 1965 she was married to Bernard E. Korang in Lemmon South Dakota, they also lived in McLaughlin, South Dakota and Hettinger, North Dakota where daughter Marcie was born October 8, 1969. After a divorce in 1974 and relocation back to Lemmon, she started working for a local attorney.

Bernie and Marcie moved to Sioux Falls in 1975. After arriving, she was back in the legal world working with lawyers in the George Qually Law Office. In 1978 Bernie and Marcie moved to Phoenix, Arizona, later in the year they moved to San Diego, California. She worked for another lawyer, Charles Shackelford, then for a government sub-contractor on Coronado Island. In the spring of 1979 they moved to Salinas, Kansas. Later in the year they returned to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In 1980 she moved to US government employment with the Small Business Administration Disaster Emergency office and then EROS Data Center in January 1981.

Starting her years at EROS as the secretary to the facility manager and later secretary to the chief computer branch manager. Her final position was to manage the SCIF and all the security clearances for the building. A heart attack in 2005 brought bypass surgery and in 2007 a retirement buyout offer was accepted.

Retirement brought her the new project of researching her father’s mothers’ line in her genealogy. This brought her to the Daughters of the American Revolution where she was an officer in the local chapter and an officer at the state level. The DAR has an affiliation with the Minnehaha Century Fund in providing docents for the historical cabin at the Sioux Empire Fair Grounds during the fair. Bernie would wear a homemade period dress as she worked the cabin and served the Minnehaha Century Fund as President as well as additional positions for that organization.

Bernie enjoyed taking her grandchildren on vacations. She took them to Dyersville, Iowa to see the Field of Dreams. They spent time out in the Black Hills at a cabin, and were able to see Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Devil’s Tower in Wyoming.

 In her last decade Bernie loved being a member of the Sioux Falls Corvette Club. She inherited a 2002 convertible from her nephew in Montana and drove it home 1000 miles on I-90.

Bernie was an exceptional seamstress and made a black and white checked racing theme scarf (one of her favorite accessories) to wear at events and rallies. Bernie’s last three months were an extension of the organization and determination that she showed in all things she did. Through ICU and rehab she was planning her life at her house in town. Providing Steve with lists of items to do, prepare or consider in the new home.

From the location of her sewing machine, the arrangement of her home office or the 250th 4th of July party she envisioned including the food and guest arrangements, she was a planner, doer, helper in all she was involved in.

Bernie loved music, social gatherings, talking with family and friends. She will be forever loved and missed by those who knew her.

Bernadine is survived by her husband, Stephen, her daughter Marcie Buysman, Sioux Falls, SD. Her grandchildren Nick (Sara) Buysman, North Liberty, Iowa, and Lydia Buysman, Sibley, Iowa. Her great grandchildren Atlas and Lainey. One brother, Bradley Goeres, Morristown, AZ; one sister, Beatrice Baumeister, Watauga, SD. Bernie was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Cleo Goeres, sisters, Barbara Westphal, Beverly Giannonatti, brothers-in-law, Herman Westphal, William (Bill) Giannonatti, Marvin Baumeister, Timothy Johnson.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 11, 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home. a Memorial Mass will be Wednesday, November 12, 1:30 PM at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life will continue at the South Dakota Military Alliance after the Mass.