Obituary of Bernardette Marie Flor

(October 21, 1930 – February 10, 2023)

Bernardette M. Flor (92) of Arvada, CO passed away on February 10, 2023.

Bernardette is survived by 8 children: Barbara Santangelo (Mike), Glenn (Kimberly), Kenneth (Aline), Ray, Virginia Mann (Mike), Rosanne, Joseph (Merri), and Donald (Sheri); 36 Grandchildren; 29 Great Grandchildren; and 2 Great-Great grandchildren.

Bernardette was born in Boulder, CO to Bernard J. (1906-1993) and Helen B. (1908-1999) Burger.

She was the oldest of three girls: sisters Patricia Frontz (1935-2016) and Lillian Salmons (aka Bunny).

Being born in the middle of the Great Depression, she and her parents moved often, until her sister Pat was born in 1935.  Soon after Pat’s birth, they settled down in a home purchased in North Denver.  She graduated from Holy Family High School in 1948 and then completed several semesters at Loretto Heights College in Denver before she became a bookkeeper and part time switchboard operator at Red Dot Oil.

She married Robert Manes, (1929-2021) in August 1952.  They had a house built and moved to Westminster, CO.  Together they had eight children: Barbara, Glenn, Kenneth, Ray, Virginia, Rosanne, Joseph, and Donald. 

After a divorce in 1978, she moved with the three youngest children, still at home, to Golden, CO.  She studied for and received her real estate license, where she sold prefabricated homes for Boise Cascade.  In 1982 she married Ivan Flor (1926-2017).  Due to the housing crisis in the 1980’s, Bernardette had to change careers once again and became a manager at the Fashion Bar Store Westland in Lakewood, CO, where she worked until retirement. 

After retirement she and Ivan did some traveling but spent most of their summers at Grand Lake, CO. There they had a camping trailer and rented a slip at the marina where they anchored their boat.  After Ivan’s death in 2017, Bernardette sold her home in Golden and moved into an active living apartment in Lakewood.  After she survived catching Covid19, which left her in failing health, she moved into assisted living in Arvada.

Besides being a full-time mother, Bernardette volunteered in her church, schools, and community positions throughout her life. She was a Girl Scout leader, Den Mother, PTA, the first Regis High School “Lark Fundraiser” Chairperson, and Coordinator for the “Great Books” organization.

She loved the mountains, especially the family cabin in Wondervu, CO.  Her dad built it during WWII as a place to escape Denver if the war ever reached the mainland.  It is still maintained and used by many of the family members.

   “Mom’s heart was made of gold.  It was rich with more love to give us eight children.  She always had time to attend to all of us.  All the meals, reading, teaching, laundry, cleaning house and all the other things mothers do behind the scenes.  She never complained, just gave us her love.  She was always ready for us when we came home from school with prepared snacks, for nurturing, or studying.  She always understood what each of us needed.  She taught us to be responsible and made us who we are today.  One big loving family.”   Kenneth Manes