Bernadine M. Gillings

Bernadine M. Gillings of Caro, age 94, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Covenant Health Care in Saginaw. Bernadine was born August 9, 1928 in Academy, South Dakota, the daughter of the late Arch & Marie (Anderson) Dimick. She was raised in Academy but left the family farm to join her brothers to board at the Platte High School where she graduated in 1945. Bernadine attended Spearfish State Teachers College (South Dakota) and took her first teaching position in a one-room schoolhouse near her hometown. She continued to substitute as her family moved around the country. Bernadine’s teaching career concluded with the Tuscola Intermediate School District in Caro where she served as a paraprofessional, a position that allowed her to make lasting connections with students for over fifteen years.

Bernadine’s strong will and determination held her family together as they traveled across the country with her husband supporting his career as an electrician. She was fiercely independent and deeply committed to family. Bernadine was an avid traveler and was able to visit all fifty states, often to stay with relatives. She enjoyed playing Euchre and baking her famous cinnamon rolls. Bernadine instilled a love for education in all her children and grandchildren and proved that no barrier was too great to achieve the goal of lifelong learning.

Left to cherish her memory are three children, Don (Janice) Gillings, Deonna Montei, Gary Gillings; grandchildren, Heather (Rob) Augustyn, Nicholas (Peggy) Montei, Sarah Parker (Jim Coloksy), Erin (Seth) Stanton, Alison (Chris) Witherspoon: greatgrandchildren, Landen Montei, Alex Colosky, Zoe Montei, Marie Stanton, Sylvie Stanton, Grant Witherspoon; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Alden “Tuffy” & Grace Gillings, Phil Dimick, Vivian Gillings, Joe Gillings, Bonita Rada; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Bernadine was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle; three children, LaRae Munk, Karla Gillings, and Lyle Brett Gillings; son-in-law, Randy Montei; daughter-in-law, Jackie Gillings; siblings, Phyllis (Eldon) Gregory, Oscar (Shirley) Dimick, Niel (Lillian) Dimick, Gordon Dimick, and Glen Dimick.

In keeping with Bernadine’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date and will be announced as information becomes available.