Berdelle Mildred Lammers

Berdelle Lammers Obituary(In her own words)

 Berdelle Lammers was born 01/08/1931 in a children's home. At three months was adopted into a loving Christian home in S. Dakota to Carl & Bertha Erickson.

     Just beginning life at 4 years 3 months old Bertha passed away from cancer.  Mother grew up on the prairie of the Dakota’s in the 1930’s during the “Great Depression”.  Though the times were hard she was sentimental about many things and told stories of those times.  One story she liked to tell was about her fathers steel-wheeled John Deere D tractor.  In the springtime and time to plant the crops after two overhauls the tractor still wouldn’t start. Her father, knowing it should start, waited a couple days to do other things contemplating what to do next.  The third morning it started and ran the rest of the season. Her father said “that is just how stubborn a John Deere can be” and he laughed.

     Growing up and anxious about the challenges of life ahead she went to Black Hills State Teachers College and Northern State Teachers College, both in S. Dakota. She expected more out of life and her dream was to be in the medical field.  This brought her to Billings, Mt..  Shortly after arriving in Billings she met her life mate, Gayle Lammers.  

     They were married in 1951.  Three children made this a happy family: Carla, George and Jane.  After 31 years, at age 50 mother was widowed.

     After working at the family’s business, Lammers Trading Post, till retirement she began to travel.  Mother’s saying was “I have traveled halfway around the world”, from Old Mexico to Hong Kong and Norway.

     Another highlight in her life came when she found her biological family in 1994.

     Mother believed in learning and was curious about how the world evolved.  She would say “a day was wasted if you did not learn something”. Mother had many interests, music, making a beautiful home, a collector and a writer having written an autobiography of her life and compiled many scrapbooks of her travels, etc. in her library.

     Mother was preceded in death by her husband, Gayle and parents.  She is survived by her children, 9 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

  Memorials can be made to the Cancer Society, Billings Cardiology Department or charity of your choice.

    In Conclusion:

     Berdelle, passed peacefully on June 23rd. and was buried at Little Big Horn Battlefield National Cemetery with her husband on June 28th. 2023.  A graveside service with her family was completed on a beautiful day to end her time with us.

     Berdelle would like to thank and give a big hug to the many people and entities that made her passing so peaceful:  Anna Hein NP and her staff at Hardin Clinic for making her life as pain free and long as possible; Steve, Vicki and Marsha at Bullis Mortuary for all their kind words and making mom look like a moviestar at the end; the Hardin City and County Law Enforcement and Coroner who made the last few minutes with mom as calm and peaceful as could be expected under the circumstances; and the Park Service at Little Big Horn National Cemetery who did such a great job handling the final piece, laying mother to rest with her husband.  I’m sure I forgot others along the way who have helped to make this passing as peaceful as possible, please know this family appreciates all the flowers and condolence cards given to Berdelle.

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