Wiewel, Bernadine Mullen

Bernadine Mullen Wiewel died peacefully on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 28, 2013, surrounded by her family at the Good Neighbor Home, where she resided for over four years. Rosary will be 10 a.m., with a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Manchester. Burial: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Manchester. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Manchester.

Bernadine was born Oct. 27, 1915, in Fonda, Iowa, the third child of eight born to Maude and John L. Mullen. She felt blessed to grow up on a farm with her large family. She attended Cherokee Junior College, where she graduated with a teaching degree. She taught at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda and in a country school near her home. In 1940, she married Walter Kelly Wiewel. They moved to California during World War II while Walter served in the Navy. Walter managed a bank in Pomeroy, Iowa before purchasing First State Bank in Manchester. They moved with eight children to Manchester on Dec. 27, 1956.

In Manchester, Bernadine became an active member of many organizations, including St. Mary's Church, Catholic Daughters of America, St. Jude's Study Club, Rosary Society and the Newcomers Club. She was president of the Ladies' Organization at the Manchester Golf & Country Club. She enjoyed golf and playing cards, especially bridge.

She traveled extensively, visiting China, Poland, Israel, Italy, South America, Ireland, Bosnia, and many other countries in addition to throughout the United States.

Bernadine was devoted to her faith and family above all else. She and Walter gave generously to organizations that supported those pillars throughout their lives. She was constantly involved in helping the needy and less fortunate. She and Walter supported several priests in their studies here and abroad.

Bernadine is survived by her eight children, 35 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Her children are Gretchen (David) Eibey, Jean (Sid) Carroll, Joe (Lee) Wiewel and Denise Parmley, all of Manchester, Kathy (Jim) Dolan of Davenport, Pauline Joyce of Dubuque, Mary (Jack) Lacy of Boulder, Colo., and Jim (Pat) Wiewel of North Venice, Fla.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; son-in-law, John Joyce; and her grandsons, Michael Dunham and Ken Carroll.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Mary's School or the Good Neighbor Society.

Please sign the online guest book for Bernadine at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Nov. 30, 2013 in The Gazette