Bernice Brunette, nee Guelzow, age 91, died Thursday, November 2, at The Kathy Hospice in West Bend.
Bernice was born January 5, 1915 to the late Ferdinand and Marie (Hoppe) Guelzow in South Byron, Wisconsin. She grew up in Oakfield and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin as one of eleven children. Bernice graduated from Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac and obtained her teaching certificate from a Wisconsin teachers college. When her mother died in 1936, she took on the responsibility of helping her father raise the children still at home, and over the years she became a much-in-demand caregiver for children from many families. Bernice married Thomas Brunette in December 1947 in Fond du Lac. In 1963, they moved from Milwaukee to West Bend, where Bernice remained until her death. Bernice was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in West Bend.
Bernice will be deeply missed by her children: Rosemarie (Roger) Stern of West Bend, Michael (Maureen) Brunette of West Bend, and Lisa Brunette (Dean Showers) of Madison; grandchildren, Jay and Ryan Stern (fiancAC.e Jaime Feucht) and Thomas, Robert and Maria Brunette of West Bend; and a great-granddaughter, Abby Stern of West Bend. Bernice is further survived by her brothers, Clinton (Kathy) Guelzow of Wisconsin Rapids and Robert (Mardy) Guelzow of Green Valley, Arizona; sisters, Norma Schroeder of Fond du Lac and Marie Stephenson of Princeton; other relatives and friends.
Bernice was preceded in death by her infant son, Thomas Richard; and her husband, Thomas.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Nov. 6 at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service in West Bend from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a vigil service at 7:00 pm. Visitation will also take place on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will follow the Mass in Washington County Memorial Park.
The family expresses special thanks to Dr. Deepak Chikkala for his compassionate care of Bernice.