Wesley Micheal Berndt passed away on May 26, 2018 in Puyallup, WA. Wes was born on April 1, 1927 in Mapleton, Iowa to William Albert Berndt and Mabel Mary Hare (deceased). William built the family home. He had brothers named John and Burdette and sisters Delores and Bernice (deceased). Wes grew up in Mapleton and really enjoyed going to school. His favorite subjects were Geography and History. In the wintertime he would ride sleighs in the snow and in the summer he would play in the farmers’ fields. He and his friends would drive to nearby town Danbury and meet girls, which is where he met his first wife. He would go to dances where they played big band music and danced the Two-step and the Waltz. Wes was drafted by the Army at 18 and served in WWII. He married Mary Delores Collins in 1950 in Danbury, Iowa. The newlyweds moved to Sioux City, Iowa where he was a city bus driver.
In 1951, Wes and Delores had their 1st child, Victoria. With encouragement from his brother John, they moved to Portland, Oregon. Thereafter Gary, Beth, and Steven were born. Wes and Delores divorced in 1962. Wes married Patricia Hughes in 1963 in Vancouver, Washington. Subsequently, they had 5 children; Theresa, Jeff, Michael, Lisa and Patti.
Wes was a lifelong Teamster who drove delivery vans, buses, and short haul tractor trailers. He really liked cars and riding motorcycles.
Christmas was always a BIG affair at the Berndt house. Mountains of gifts for his children surrounded the tree. He loved spending time with his family, and was an animal lover; having various pets throughout his lifetime.
All remember the long summer nights sitting on the porch at the Yamhill house with his kids and the neighbors; a favorite memory. Barbecue chicken was the standing fare for Sundays.
Wes had 9 children and 10 grandchildren. Victoria (Brent Skidmore)-Reno, NV, Gary- Palm Desert, CA, Beth (Rick Birch)-Fountain Valley, CA, Steven (Jan Richards)-Vancouver, WA, Theresa Berndt (deceased), Jeffrey-Gresham OR, Michael-Puyallup, WA, Lisa-N. Chesterfield, VA and Patti-Gresham, OR.
Please join the Berndt children and grandchildren to celebrate Wes’ life on June 23, 2018 at Skyline Memorial Gardens - Chapel 9:30-11:00a.m. with the inurnment to immediately follow.
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