Berniel Schulthies Hartley Obituary (1946

Berniel Schulthies Hartley devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away Thursday, March 22, 2018 peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a two year hard fought battle with ALS. She was born March 12, 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah and minutes after her birth her parents were surprised with another baby, her twin brother Brent. Sixteen months later another set of twins joined their family, Van and Vaughn. When Berniel turned one their family moved to Nyssa, Oregon where her family farmed, worked, and played together. Later, Shelley, Launa, Preston and Travis joined their family. She enjoyed a very special relationship with her siblings which continue to this day. Berniel loved to serve her family, especially her mother. One of her favorite things to do was to surprise her busy mother with a clean kitchen. Berniel graduated from Nyssa High School in 1964. She later attended Steven-Henager Business College in Salt Lake City. In 1966 she married Brent Hartley and they started their legacy in life serving others. Berniel found joy helping her husband manage the family farm in Adrian, Oregon where Brent farmed with his father, Sam Hartley. During the next few years, Brent and Berniel were faced with faith building hardships. Brent and Berniel were thrilled to welcome their first baby into their family, Robert Troy Hartley. Troy was born premature but through a Mother's love and faith Troy became a very healthy little boy. Three years later, Brent’s sister, Joanne Hartley, passed away from cancer. She was survived by her six year old daughter Pamela who Brent and Berniel lovingly adopted into their home. Then in April of 1971, Berniel welcomed another little boy, Terrel Ray who was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and lived only five days. Berniel ached for her baby boy. Six months later tragedy struck as her mother Evelyn was killed when two crop duster planes collided in mid-air and landed on her parents’ home. Berniel thought her heart would burst as she and her siblings lost their mother. Being the oldest daughter Berniel desired to take on the responsibility of helping her father and siblings through this very difficult time. Although this was a heartbreaking tragedy, Berniel and her siblings banded together, trusted in the Lord and relied on their faith to make it through. Blessings did come though as they were able to welcome two additional children, Tricia Jo and Shawn Lynn. In November of 1976, Brent and Berniel left their beloved hometown of Nyssa/Adrian, OR. They took their little family to a new farming adventure, settling on the Horse Heaven Hills of Prosser, Washington. Soon after moving to Washington, they welcomed son, Taryn Bair. Later two daughters joined their family, Hayley and Jennilyn, then their family was complete. Berniel was considered the heart of the family farm operation. She took on many roles to help support her husband and sons to keep the farm running smoothly. Her responsibilities included parts runner, book keeper, and produce manager. But her first priority was also her first love, attending to the needs of her husband and children. In 2008 Berniel was privileged and blessed to serve an 18 month LDS proselytizing mission with her beloved husband Brent. They ministered to the people of Hampshire County, West Virginia developing treasured relationships. Later she served diligently with her husband in the Columbia River Temple where again lifelong, cherished friendships were formed. Berniel was a faithful, devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints where she served valiantly as a visiting teacher, temple worker, leader and teacher in several different auxiliaries. Berniel defined charity in every aspect of her life. She devoted her life to serving her husband, children, grandchildren and everyone that crossed her path. Berniel found joy in serving others and truly loved those she served. Berniel treasured her relationships. To know her was to love her. In the spring of 2016 Berniel received the devastating diagnosis of ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. From that moment on, Berniel and Brent forged forward with courage and faith exploring every known available treatment, including two courageous trips to Thailand for innovative stem cells transplants in hopes of a miracle. Brent and Berniel refused to quit. Although the disease destroyed her body it never destroyed her spirit. Ultimately it was not God’s plan for Berniel to be physically healed. Having endured much affliction and trusting in the Lord, Berniel returned faithfully to her Heavenly Home. We did not receive the healing miracle we so desperately prayed for but were able to witness other miraculous tender mercies such as Berniel being able to continue to walk and use her hands, thus being able to still serve her husband, family, and others. Another miracle through this trial was Berniel being approved for treatment with the drug Radicava, the first ALS drug approved by the FDA in 22 years for the treatment of ALS. Berniel was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Evelyn Schulthies; her son, Terrel Ray: her grandson, Britain Adams: and great grandson, Harvey Hartley. Her survivors include her husband, Brent Hartley; her mother, Joan Schulthies; her children, Pam (Scott) Adams of Orem, Utah, Troy (Cindy) Hartley of Prosser, WA, Tricia Biggs of Provo, UT, Shawn (Kristy) Hartley of Far West, UT, Taryn (Dedre) Hartley of Prosser, WA, Hayley (Ezra) Christian of Kennewick, WA, and Jennilyn (Brenden) Kent of Kennewick, WA. Berniel has 35 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Brent (Elaine) Schulthies, Vaughn (Barbara) Schulthies, Van (Susan) Schulthies, Shelley (Neil) Goodfellow, Launa ( Rod) Frahm, Preston (Sheryl) Schulthies, and Travis (Pam) Schulthies, Linda (Bob) Hoffman, David (Nancy) McCune, Gary (Lori) McCune, Donna (Butch) Buhrig, Jim McCune, and John (Debbie) McCune. A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 25 from 6:30-8:30 in the Prosser LDS Chapel. Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 26 at 1pm under the direction of Prosser Funeral Home. Family will receive visitors from 10:30-12:30 before the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the local ALS Association Evergreen Chapter, 19226 66th Avenue South L-105, Kent, WA 98032 or the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Missionary Fund. You may leave a message for the family at www.Prosserfuneralhome.com