Antoinette Arlyne Werner (affectionately known as Beanie) died Sunday, Nov. 16 2014, as a result of an accidental house fire, at her home in Thedford. Anntionette was born to Carl Gustav and Antoinette (Ostergard) Wiese on May 31, 1919 at the family ranch northwest of Purdum, NE. She grew up on the ranch attending country school, then graduating from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, NE. Afterward, she attended nurses training at St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island, NE. She continued working there after graduating eventually becoming the Director of Nursing. It was while working at St. Francis Hospital that she met and married Donald E. Werner in June of 1944. The couple made their home in Thedford, NE in 1946 building a ranch and farm operation. To this union two sons were born, Nicholas Kent and Michael Scott. In 1961 the couple adopted Curtis who was three years old. Husband, Don, died September 19, 1987 after a battle with cancer.
Beanie was a member of the Thedford United Church of Christ for 70+ years, Women’s Fellowship, various cattle women’s associations and she also belonged to several bridge clubs. One of her biggest challenges recently was her failing eyesight which made card playing very difficult. This was very frustrating for her, but she firmly believed it provided her the opportunity to maintain her mental sharpness as well as the comfort of companionship from her bridge family.
Beanie was most definitely a business woman. Beside her husband and brother Carl (Lorraine) Wiese they purchased the livestock barn in Thedford; building it into one of the most successful auction barns in the country. She traveled with Don for several years to the sale barns where he auctioneered and she served as “clerk of the sale”. She continued doing this at the Valentine sale barn even after Don had passed away. She also maintained the bookkeeping for the family farming, feedlot and ranching.
Beanie is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Antionette Wiese, husband Don, son Michael; siblings Gretchen, Dorothea (Ray) Rogers, Ethelle Wiese, Carl (Lorraine) Wiese, Hazel (Lawrence) Wiese and Evelyn (Howard) Thompson.
Beanie is survived by her son, Nick and grandchildren Paige (Shayne), Kristine (Hugh), Nicholas (Alison), Justin, Cameron (Dominique), Tiffany (Dan) and Elizabeth; also, son Curtis (Davia) and granddaughter Jenny. Great-grandchildren Izabel, Zoie, Alxander, Benjamin and Hudson were blessed into her family before her passing.
Funeral services will be held Saturday Nov. 22, 2014 at the United Church of Christ in Thedford, NE at 10:00 AM CST. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery at Thedford. Memorials are to the Kidney Cancer Association % of 4024 W. Chicago, Rapid City, SD 57702. Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.