Bernetta Fay Warehime

Bernetta Fay (Shelite) Rhodes was born on March 4th, 1930 to Charlie and Retta Shelite of rural Capron, Oklahoma. She attended school in Capron and played on one of the first girls basketball teams.

On June 1st, 1947, Bernetta was married to Willis Rhodes and had two children, Debbie and Mike. In 1955, they moved from Alva and made their home in Kiowa, Kansas.

Bernetta was a member of the First Christian Church and taught Sunday School for many years. She worked for Paxton’s Drug Store in Kiowa until Willis became ill. Bernetta diligently took care of him until he passed away on May 16th, 1990. Not one to sit around, she started working for Fisher Funeral Home in Kiowa and years later she met Bill Warehime who also worked for Fisher Funeral Home in Cherokee, Oklahoma. They were married on September 1st, 1999, and made their home there. Bernetta was very involved in the First Christian Church where she was a member of the Midway Class and the C.W.F. group and sang in the church choir. Bill and Bernetta were happily married for ten years until Bill’s passing.

Bernetta (Grandma B) was an incredible seamstress. She loved making dolls, crocheting snowflakes and crosses, and making her beloved bears. She kept count and made her last panda bear, number 3,338 a few days before her passing. She kept the sheriff and ambulance department supplied and loved spreading joy and happiness with her teddy bears. They were sent everywhere, even one to Japan. She had a servant's heart and cared about others. We have wonderful memories of her spunky witty self.

Bernetta was preceded in death by her parents, husband Willis, her second husband Bill, four brothers and six sisters.

She is survived by her daughter Debbie Frieden (Jeff) of Howard, KS; son Mike Rhodes (Ronda) of Kiowa, KS; four granddaughters, Cheri Adams (Tim) of Craig, CO, Melissa Bussel (Travis) of Bluffton, IN, Erica Schultz (Aaron) of Derby, KS, Alesa Murrow (Caleb) of Hardtner, KS, fifteen great grandchildren and seven great, great grandchildren. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends.

Bernetta’s last five years were spent living with her daughter Debbie and husband Jeff on their farm with family nearby.

Funeral service for Bernetta will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lanman Funeral Home Chapel in Kiowa, Kansas. Visitation will be that same day from 12:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa. Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc. Website: www.lanmanfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be made through Lanman Funeral Home to the First Christian Church in Cherokee, Oklahoma.