Robert Bernards

WAUNAKEE-Robert (Bob) Louis Bernards, 92, of Waunakee, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in the home he built for his family in 1956. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 11:00 am at St. John's Catholic Church, 209 South Street, Waunakee, WI. Burial will be in St. John's cemetery immediately following the mass. A luncheon will follow in the St. John's School Hall. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, December 1, at the Winn Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Highway Q, Waunakee, WI and again from 9:30 to 11:00 am at St. John's Church prior to the funeral service.

Bob was born on April 17, 1927 in Sparta to Walter and Barbara (Ripp) Bernards. When he was 1 year old, he moved with his parents to Waunakee and lived there until his death. He married the love of his life, Mary Louise Simon, on September 8, 1951 in Madison.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; brother, Don (Sis) Bernards, Windsor and brother-in-law, Robert (Sue) Simon, Sun Prairie; daughters, Sue (Tim) Kennedy of Minneapolis, Nancy (Dustin) Thompto of Madison, and Kathi (Ken) Busse of Sun Prairie; sons, Steve (Brenda) Bernards of Rhinelander, Dick (Vicky) Bernards of Waunakee and Tim Bernards of Phillips; grandchildren, Kelly (Steve) Linton, Robert (Amy) Kennedy, Michelle (Aaron) Rohan, Kathryn (Matthew) McMurray, Matt Bernards and Brian (Kim) Bernards; great grandchildren, Katelyn and Jack Linton, Jaiden Romo, Madeline and Ava Kennedy, A.J., Micah, Logan, Titus, Shiloh and Ayla Rohan, and David and Rachel McMurray; and nieces and nephews, Barb (Gary) Snyder, Don (Deb) Bernards Jr., Jerry (Karen) Bernards, Jeff (Penny) Bernards, Peter (Jenny) Simon, John (Andrea) Simon and Beth (John) Heilmann. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Barbara Bernards; sister, Virginia Hohlstein; father and mother-in-law, Walter and Louise Simon; and brother-in-law, Keith Hohlstein.

On May 3, 1945, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country with great pride. He worked at Oscar Mayer's for over 42 years. Bob led a life of selfless service. He was a Boy Scout Leader in Waunakee for 11 years, the Waunakee Civil Defense Director for 4 years and, upon his retirement from Oscar Mayer, he trained for and joined the Waunakee Emergency Medical Service (EMS) as a volunteer. In his 22 years with the EMS, he made over 2,000 runs and retired from the service at the age of 80. He also volunteered for delivering Meals On Wheels for the Village of Waunakee. Waunakee honored Bob in 2008 by naming him a Waunafest Grand Marshall. Bob's service to this country was recognized when he was selected for the Badger Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on September 14, 2013. Bob and Mary enjoyed traveling, starting on their 25th wedding anniversary and continuing every year to all parts of the world, including Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and other warm climates and all throughout the United States. A highlight of their travel was a safari in Kenya on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Bob was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed camping with his family as well as hunting and fishing. For many years, he enjoyed duck, pheasant, turkey, goose and deer hunting with his friends from home and Canada. He was a lifelong member of St. John's Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Waunakee American Legion Post 360. Bob enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, yard work, wood working, and watching the Badgers, the Packers and the Brewers. Throughout his life, his priority was his family and he loved spending time with them. Memorials in Bob's name may be made to Agrace Hospice, the Waunakee EMS or the American Legion Post 360.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI