Marnie Adamson Bernard May 3, 1948 - October 24, 2021

Marnie Adamson Bernard passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 24, 2021, in her home after a brief illness.  Marnie was born May 3, 1948, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  When she was four years old, the family moved to Sweet, Idaho.  On an 800 acre ranch, with her two younger sisters, she roamed freely on daily adventures.  A few years later they moved to the Emmett family farm where four more children joined the family, just enough to help their father take care of the family egg business with 4,000 chickens.  Marnie refused to eat chicken for the rest of her life!

Marnie graduated from Emmett High School in 1966.  In 1986, while attending Boise State University and working on the Homecoming Committee, it is said that she had a part in coining the name “Smurf Turf” for the new blue BSU football field.  Most of her career was in sales, beginning with the local radio station, J105.  It was during this time that she was the manager for Boise’s premier heavy metal band, ChildzPlay.  She was a top furniture salesperson for many years, and eventually became a real estate agent for the last ten years of her career.

While some people got to know the fun side of Marnie, others got to see the business and professional side, and still others knew her as one who worked tirelessly serving distressed veterans over the past 15 years.

In 2005, she volunteered to help a group of women, many who were wives of soldiers, make and send Christmas boxes to our military overseas.  She heard stories of loneliness, depleted finances and worry about what to expect when their husbands returned after being separated for so long.  Instantly seeing a need, she started a group which she called the Twisted Sisters and brought military wives together with functions where they could spend time with other military wives.  Here they were able to let go of some of the hidden emotions that arose from the loneliness of being home with great responsibilities and the constant worry that their soldier may be the one who would not return. She remained a listening ear and a friend to these women.

Marnie sensed another need in 2009 when she saw some of our Idaho veterans return home to a world they had become unfamiliar with.  Some returned with severe injuries, PTSD, employment needs, and anxiety about reacclimating to family life again.  Out of a strong desire to help in some way, she started a nonprofit called the Idaho Veterans Network, a safe harbor for distressed vets where they could talk to others who were dealing with similar issues.  She spent hours talking to distraught veterans, helping them understand they were loved and valued, that life was still worth living.  All she asked of them was that once they became better, they would reach down and lift another brother in need.

“Good morning Patriots.  Our flag is still there.” was the morning call on the Idaho Veterans Network Facebook page, where Marnie would post humor and words of encouragement.  She sponsored a weekly peer-to-peer night where veterans were fed and provided time to talk together about whatever was on their minds.  She kept the electricity on in homes and procured air fare for a veteran to fly out from the east to be at the funeral of another veteran brother’s young son who tragically passed away. She helped a stranded soldier who was out of gas and out of money while traveling across the country to get back home to his family.  She successfully had soldiers released from jail with a promise that they would get back on track.  She networked with clinicians to donate time to work with men in trauma. She sponsored a monthly newspaper with special articles about military heroes and stories. She helped plan funerals for those killed in action or who had passed away, and spent hours counseling with their families.  She received hunting and fishing expeditions from generous doners so that some of “the guys” (as she called them) could be together and share time doing something they loved. For nearly 20 years she hosted a special reunion at the Meridian Speedway where veterans, support staff, and active duty and their families got in free to share a night of fun with an opening ceremony to honor veterans.  Just last month, she helped sponsor the first Idaho Veterans Network Charity Motorcycle Ride.  Marnie leaves a legacy of service to those most in need through her love, compassion, and gifts as an organizer, friend, and community advocate.  Because she hated being in the spotlight, most of her service went unnoticed by most of us.  Marnie will be greatly missed by all those she touched throughout her life.

Marnie is survived by her children, Stacy McMahan; Tiff Beatty (Jim) and children, Valerie (Chauncey, and children Haden and Carson), Ally (Micheal), and Abby (Keegan); Nick Bernard (Hayley) and children Tyler, MacKenzie, Grace, Luke and Addi; and son Neal Bernard; Marnie’s siblings, Lonna Ward (Craig), Diane Poulton (Craig), Kerri Fisher (Dave), Blair Adamson (Lauri), Brian Adamson (Becklie), and Kris Olsen (Don).  She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Inez Adamson of Emmett.

Due to COVID, there will be a private family gathering on Monday, November 1^st..  This Celebration of Life will be posted afterwards on her tribute page at www.bowmanfuneral.com for anyone to watch.  Another service for family, friends, colleagues, and Veterans is currently being planned at a later date.   Condolences may be made on Marnie Adamson Bernard’s Facebook page.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Idaho Veteran’s Network by mailing to “Idaho Veteran’s Network Donation Fund” at 10254 W. Carlton Bay Drive, Garden City, Idaho, 83714.

To watch the service, please visit: https://vimeo.com/641328903