Bernie Foutz

Buelah "BERNIE" FOUTZ Funeral services for Beulah "Bernie" Foutz, 82 of Cortez, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16 at Cortez Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Empire Street Chapel with Bishop Todd Plewe conducting. Interment will follow at 4 p.m. Monday at Kirtland Cemetery in Kirtland, N.M. Visitation has been set for Sunday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Bernie died Thursday, March 12, 2009 at Southwest Memorial Hospital following health complications and a fall. She was born August 29, 1926 in Fort Worth, Texas the daughter of John Benjamin and Melcina (Hafer) Varnell. At age 9 Bernie moved to Farmington, N.M. with her family. She married Loyd Foutz on June 19, 1949 spending the first years of their marriage at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post in Teec Nos Pos, Ariz. and at Beclahbeto Trading Post. Bernie and Loyd moved to Cortez in 1969. She bowled in several bowling leagues, and was well known for her bead work. Bernie loved the Native American culture and leaves behind hundreds of Native American friends. She was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she served twice at Relief Society President as well as many other callings. During Bernie's life, she touched so many with her beautiful smile, compassion and love. Her smile was contagious. Surviving Bernie are her husband of 59 years, Loyd Foutz of Cortez; her brothers, Earl Varnell and wife, Neoma of Bloomfield, N.M., Paul Varnell and wife, Bonnie of El Paso, Texas, and Raymond Varnell and wife, Geniva of Eugene, Mo.; and her children, David Foutz and wife, Karen of Cortez, Linda Adams and husband, Ray Adams of Mesa, Ariz., Brenda Fleming and husband, Jim of Grand Junction, Colo. and Tamie Sherwood and husband, Jon of Kirtland, N.M. Also surviving Bernie are her 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; and numerous other family members. Preceding Bernie in death are her parents; two brothers, Harold Varnell and J.B. Varnell; and two sisters, Mary Varnell and Bonnie Crooke. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Beulah "Bernie" Foutz with the Missionary Fund, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1800 E. Empire St., Cortez, Colo. 81321.