With profound grief and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend Kimberlie Ann Berard, who left us on September 5th at the age of 57. A guiding light and source of strength, she touched the lives of everyone she encountered with her unwavering love, kindness, compassion and selflessness.
Kim was born on October 2nd, 1965, in Oakland, California to Gordon and Jacqueline Vinther. She spent her early childhood in San Ramon, California, later moving to Camarillo. She was an excellent student, played soccer which her mom coached. Once in High school, she started working at Safeway where she saved enough money to buy her first dream car, a 78 MGB. It was her junior year that she would meet Shawn Berard, a transplant from northern CA. They had many mutual friends and by the beginning of their senior year they were inseparable, though as many times as Shawn asked her to “go steady” she would decline, but she eventually said ‘yes’.
After graduating from Rio Mesa in 1983, she went on to study Interior Design at Moorpark Community college. The Summer of 1984, Kim and Shawn traveled to Cottonwood, CA to spend time with family. They decided to stay, and bought their first house in Manton, CA. This house was literally a shack, but they turned it into their first home.
Kim and Shawn knew early on they were soulmates, and were married July 27, 1985, in Santa Barbara, CA. It was at this time that Kim began nursing school at Shasta College. After receiving her Associates Degree in Nursing, she worked as a nurse at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Red Bluff, eventually going on to achieve her CCRN. They sold their house in Manton, and bought a bigger, nicer home that still needed some TLC in Richfield, CA. Shawn eventually decided to go to Chiropractic College and Kim lovingly supported him in that decision. They packed up and moved to Castro Valley, CA where Shawn attended Life Chiropractic College West, while Kim worked at Kaiser Permanente. Shawn completed his degree in September 1994, and they both decided to make another life changing decision to move to Montana, leaving behind all of their cherished family and friends.
Shawn started his practice in Florence, MT, while Kim worked for St. Patrick’s Hospital in the ICU and CCU. She was an exceptional nurse, not only in patient care, but family support, doctor control, and setting the bar for her fellow nurses. This was a difficult time as Kim worked the 12-hour night shift, while Shawn focused on building his practice during the day.
In the spring of 1996, they were able to build their first new home (one of many) in Hidden Valley. Kim and Shawn built several homes in the Hidden Valley area, moving about every three years. They went through the subdivision process in the Three Mile area, for which Kim named the road ‘Captivating Way’ because of the spectacular mountain views.
In early 2001, Kim received the news that she was pregnant. Upon further ultrasounds it was determined that she was carrying triplets. She continued to work at St. Patrick’s, but moved to the Recovery Unit. Sarah, Isaac, and Ethan were born November 20, 2001. Kim went on maternity leave and never returned to nursing, instead focusing on her family and raising the kids in a loving supportive home.
In 2005, Kim and Shawn began construction of their Dream Home in which they still live. Raising the triplets in a consistent environment was important to her, as by the tender age of 4 the kids would refer to the houses they had lived in by their color. As the kids became more independent, she obtained her real estate license. Kim excelled as a real estate agent, eventually obtaining her brokers license. She achieved multiple awards for her success and loved her Berkshire Hathaway company, the agents she worked with, and the clients she represented. She always looked in the best interest of her clients, not focused on the closing but on their needs and future happiness. This created lifelong connections all across the state as well as plenty of others around the country. Her way with people was admirable, always going out of her way to help in whatever way she could. Even her daily job became something of a family activity, as the kids all have memories of the different houses they would go to with her.
As the kids grew older, she was a constant figure in their activities, including the coaching of their soccer teams, taking leadership roles in Boy Scouts, and actively involved in Florence Music Boosters. Her devotion to her children spread far and wide. Always cheering in the stands for Sarah’s volleyball games and choir events, playing air drums in response to Isaac’s drumline performances, and tapping her foot along to Ethan’s saxophone recitals. Her love knew no bounds, which became crystal clear whenever she was around Shawn and the kids. Her involvement and commitment to everything they were a part of made it so abundantly clear just how much she loved them. Kim was also an active member in PEO Chapter AT in which she served in multiple leadership positions.
Despite her busy schedule, Kim always had time to make the best dinners. Her food was loved by anyone that entered the house. Family and friends always looked forward to momma Kim’s cooking. Although many have tried to repeat the recipes, nobody ever came close. She made every dish with so much love. She also loved to garden, where many of the ingredients for meals came from. Meals were filled with fresh squash and zucchinis, as well as tomatoes. With her leftover harvests, she would spend hours in the kitchen canning. She made jams, spreads, and salsa which was the absolute best. Fond memories of eating strawberries, raspberries, and even blackberries right off of the bush circulate every summer, and picking apples, pears, and plums every fall. She was so proud of everything that she grew, and rightfully so. Her green thumb was insanely impressive, she didn’t even have to try to keep plants alive. Her smile was enough to keep them growing.
Though Kim was taken from us far too soon, she will forever be our guiding light, she was truly one of a kind. She and Shawn built a life full of love and adventure. Our memories of her will live on to fill the ache in our hearts. Her laughter, her smile, and all of the love and support she provided to help us become better people is the glue that holds each of us together.
Kim is survived by her mother Jacqueline Vinther, her brother Todd Vinther, husband Shawn, and their three children Sarah, Isaac, and Ethan.
Her memory will forever be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to know her, she was the best woman that this world had to offer.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Kimberlie on July 6th, 2024, at the Three Mile Community Center, Lone Rock Park, located on Sunnyside Cemetery Road, Stevensville. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.