Bernie moved to Casper when she was a junior. She always told me that she was scared to death of NCHS because there were more students there than were in the whole community of Lusk from which she had moved! We became friends almost immediately, marched together at graduation, went to UW and roomed together as freshman. We both pledged Pi Phi Sorority, entertained at fraternity smokers, and just generally had a ball in college. I got married after our sophomore year (she was a bridesmaid) and eventually moved to Oregon and then to California. We never lost touch with each other. I visited her in Fort Collins every time I came to Casper, which was at least once or twice a year, and we stayed in touch by phone frequently. After I moved back to Wyoming, we were able to see even more of each other; ours was a very close friendship that lasted for over 40 years. I'm sure I was the first person she called when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, closely followed by a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. She survived for almost two years by the sheer force of her will, never complaining, never asking "why me?" She was a wonderful person who had a huge heart and cared for others, more than for herself. She is missed by so many, and especially by me.
Kaye Hufsmith (Hunt)
Bernie moved to Casper when she was a junior. She always told me that she was scared to death of NCHS because there were more students there than were in the whole community of Lusk from which she had moved! We became friends almost immediately, marched together at graduation, went to UW and roomed together as freshman. We both pledged Pi Phi Sorority, entertained at fraternity smokers, and just generally had a ball in college. I got married after our sophomore year (she was a bridesmaid) and eventually moved to Oregon and then to California. We never lost touch with each other. I visited her in Fort Collins every time I came to Casper, which was at least once or twice a year, and we stayed in touch by phone frequently. After I moved back to Wyoming, we were able to see even more of each other; ours was a very close friendship that lasted for over 40 years. I'm sure I was the first person she called when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, closely followed by a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. She survived for almost two years by the sheer force of her will, never complaining, never asking "why me?" She was a wonderful person who had a huge heart and cared for others, more than for herself. She is missed by so many, and especially by me.