Bernadine Vandewalle

BERNADINE ELIZABETH VANDEWALLE

Cedar Rapids

Bernadine Elizabeth Vandewalle, 97, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at All Saints Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to Mass. Burial: St. John's Cemetery.

Bernadine was born Oct. 2, 1921, the daughter of William and Louise (Redig) Heitgen, in Salem, S.D. Upon graduating from St. Mary's High School in Salem, she began her training as a nurse in Mitchell, S.D. Bernadine then went on to serve in World War II as an Army Corps nurse. After the war ended, she married Joseph L. Vandewalle on May 29, 1950, at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Salem. She and Joseph then adopted their two children, Patrick and Mary.

Bernadine continued her work as a nurse for Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids for over 30 years. She was an active member of All Saints Catholic Church, where she was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters. She also was a member of the Young At Heart Group, the Martha's, and was an excellent care giver to her husband, Joseph.

Survivors include her daughter, Mary (Tom) Tharp; six grandchildren, Nichole (Thad) Bussey, Shannon (Patrick) Dahmen, Sean (Maria) Vandewalle, Derek (Bridget) Tharp, Amanda Tharp and Madison Tharp; six great-grandchildren, Tristen, Peyton, Morgan, Caleb, Liam and Amelia; and sister, Sister Carol Anne Heitgen of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters of Reading, Pa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; son, Patrick; parents; brother, Harold Heitgen; sister, Virginia Heitgen; and sister-in-law, Monica Heitgen.

Memorials may be directed to All Saints Catholic Church in memory of Bernadine.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.