Bernadine Schallau

BERNADINE AGNES MARTIN SCHALLAU

Van Horne

Bernadine Agnes Martin Schallau, 94, born Jan. 15, 1924, in Victor, Iowa, entered into eternal life on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, at the Crestview Nursing Home in West Branch, where she had been wonderfully cared for during the last five years.

Bernie, as she was known by her family and friends, was raised on the family farm in Victor, where she attended St. John's School. Responding to the call of service to serve her country during World War II, she moved to Des Moines working in an ammunition factory. Soon after the war, her cousin, John Martin, introduced her to a returning soldier from Van Horne, Bud Schallau, whom she would marry on July 11, 1951.

Bernie and Bud raised their three children, Mary Jo, Doug and Bonnie, in Van Horne. When her children began to go to college, she went to work in retail services in Cedar Rapids. A math wizard, she typically would total her customers' purchases in her head, not trusting the cash register; she was always right. She created a loving home and was the family's "true north" with great clarity on the difference between right and wrong.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Schallau, on June 5, 1996.

She is survived by her loving children and their families, Mary Jo (Steve) DeForce of Lenexa, Kan., Doug (Kate) Schallau of Fairfield, Conn., and Bonnie (Tim Smith) Wagner of Iowa City; and grandchildren, Margaret Schallau of Chicago, Brian Wagner of Iowa City, Erin (Cameron Perkins) Washington, D.C., Mike Schallau, Chicago, and Megan (Nate) Warren of Lenoir City, Tenn.

Services will be Saturday, Sept. 29. Family and friends may extend their condolences at a visitation at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Newhall from 9 to 10:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., followed immediately by a luncheon in the church basement. A private interment will take place after the luncheon at Calvary Cemetery.