Bernard Harkness

Bernard John Harkness was born February 28, 1925 to Ruth Ann Kent Harkness and Ernest B. Harkness.  He began his life at the Muddy Ranch on Big Sheep Creek.  At 2 years of age, he was joined by a sister, Bonnie Jean.  In 1929 the family moved to the ranch in upper Big Sheep Creek Basin.  Here they lived with Ernest's parents, Ernest Issace and Arabina Harkness. In due time Ernest and Ruth took over the ranch from his parents and Bernard helped with ranching duties.  At this time the livestock business consisted of 2 bands of sheep.  Bernard learned the art of trapping coyotes and hunting them with hounds. Bernard attended Nicholia Grade School  After he graduated 8th grade, he attended high school in Dillon.  While there, he lived with his grandparents Rose and John Kent.  When high school education was complete, Bernard went back to the family ranch up Big Sheep Creek.  He met and married Shirley Jean Shearer in 1948 and they moved to the Muddy Creek Ranch. Four children were born to Bernard and Jean.  Bernice Louise Smart (Angus); Janice Kay Smart (William); Ernest James; and Kelton Bernard (Sue). Bernard was active in county, state, and the American Farm Bureau Organizations.  He held offices in every area and was president of the Montana Farm Bureau for 15 years.  These were goals he was very proud of.  The friendships and acquaintances he made here were remembered for the rest of his life. After the ranches up Big Sheep Creek were sold, Bernard and Jean continued to live at the Muddy Creek house until 2011 when Bernard went to Parkview Acres in Dillon where he stayed until 2012.  He then went to live with his daughter and son-in-law Bernice and Angus Smart in Lima.  Jean continued to live at the Muddy Creek house until 2013 when she moved to Lima to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and William Smart. Bernard passed away on December 21, 2013, between Dell and Lima.  He was preceeded in death by a son Ernest James, a daughter Janice Smart, his brother-in-law Dick McNinch, and a niece, Diana Walrath--these last 3 deaths all occurring in 2013. Survivors include his wife Jean, daughter Bernice and son Kelly; his sister Bonnie McNinch and niece Evelyn Larsen; 6 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.