Bernard R. ‘Bernie’ Warren, age 90, of Helena

On January 23rd Seaman Bernard (Bernie) Robert Warren shipped out for the last time, leaving behind Mary, his loving wife of 71 years.

Bernie was born in Helena in 1926 to Edith and Owen Warren. Owen was employed by Montana Power Company for fifty years and ran the power station at Beaver Creek as well as the Hebgen Dam.  Their 4 children, Boy, Sis, Bernie and Phyllis split their time between the family ranch at Nelson (near York) and the house at the power station a few miles up Beaver Creek.  Nelson was named after his Grandfather, Cyrus Nelson.

At the young age of 17, like so many Montanans, Bernie enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve our country during WWII. He was assigned to several fighting ships but his greatest pride was the time he served on the USS Rotanin and the USS Saratoga, CV3.  The “Sara” was heavily damaged by numerous kamikaze attacks during the fierce battle of Iwo Jima. While serving on the “Sara” he met his lifelong buddy, Kenny Sheppard, a friendship that lasted long into retirement.

Bernie met Mary at Helena High School. They were married in Helena on December 13, 1945.  They had two daughters, Sherrie Fast (Dick) and Judy Bishop (Les). Mary and Bernie established a successful business in Helena, Warren Sales & Service, along with their partners John Mockel and Larry Broadwater, providing service station equipment and repair statewide.  Bernie enjoyed a second career as a salesman for Tri-State Tank West.  Along with Kirby Fleming he established a west coast office based out of Sacramento where they manufactured gasoline fuel delivery trucks.

In their retirement years Bernie and Mary enjoyed traveling in their RV to Yuma, joining his Navy buddy Kenny Sheppard and his wife Jewell. They all traveled together for twenty years.

In the early 1950’s Bernie and Mary built a cabin on Canyon Ferry Lake and for many years they enjoyed beautiful summers with their family and friends. There are many, many fond memories of special times at the cabin.

Bernie was preceded in death by his mother Edith Warren and his father Owen Warren, his sister, “Sis” Southwick, and his brother, “Boy” Warren. He is survived by his wife, Mary Warren, his daughters Sherrie Fast (Dick) of Big Sky, Montana and Judy Bishop (Les) of Driggs, Idaho and his sister, Phyllis Jakovac of Helena. He was a loving grandfather and took great pride in his five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Brent and Tiffany Bishop of Laramie, Wyoming, and their children Skylar and Cohen; Aaron and Kelsie Danz of Driggs, Idaho, and their children Aiden and Griffin; B.J. and Rebecca Bishop of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, and their son Miles; Jenner Fast of Bozeman, Montana; and Annie Fast and Justin Eeles of Bend, Oregon, and their son Flint.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Fort Harrison VA Center for the excellent care and assistance Bernie received over the years. He enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with other Vets at the Fort. A family and friends celebration of Bernie’s life and a graveside service with military honors will be held at a later date. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Bernie.

Service Schedule

Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.

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