Bernadine M. (Wagner) Bleile, age 99, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 3:17 p.m., on Saturday, January, 5, 2019, at home, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Bernadine’s life, funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church, 2921 Central Avenue, with Rev. Dwayne J. Thoman officiating. To celebrate Bernadine’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:30 a.m., until the time of services at 11:00a.m., on Thursday, January 10, 2019, at the church. Entombment will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Bernadine was born on October 14, 1919, in Sherrill, Iowa, daughter of John and Lucy (Schmitt) Wagner.

Bernadine was born and raised in the Sherrill area, where she would attend school, before eventually making Dubuque her lifelong home. She was a hard worker and was employed for 5 years at General Dry Battery, before happily becoming a full time wife, mother and homemaker. Bernadine was united in marriage to Herbert Bleile, on October 21, 1939, at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Sherrill. The two would be blessed with 2 loving children, and 59 years together, before Herbert was sadly called home before her on January 19, 1999. Bernadine and Herbert were a very active couple, who were often found out and about, “cutting a rug”, at weekly dances held at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. They also enjoyed discovering and visiting new places together and were extremely proud of the fact that they had visited all 50 states, as well as several countries abroad. Family, however, truly brought the greatest joy into Bernadine’s days, and she loved any opportunity to spend time with Lisa, Loras, and eventually the grandchildren, always sure to make every occasion special and memorable.
Bernadine was a very creative individual, an excellent seamstress and an accomplished quilter. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles on her own, but really looked forward to beating the pants off of her children and grandchildren in a heated game of Scrabble. Bernadine took much pride in keeping up her home and would often look for things to do to keep busy. We feel very blessed to have had 99 years to enjoy the gift of our dynamic Bernadine, and we will miss you more than you will ever know. We take comfort in knowing that you are now at peace in Heaven.

Those left to cherish Bernadine’s memory include

her children,

and Loras (Carrie) Bleile, Peosta, IA,
Lisa (Roger) Ohrt, LaPorte City, IA;

her grandchildren,
Tracey Bleile, Susan (Dan) Neaton, Andrew (Mary J.) Kleckner, Zachary (Stacey) Ohrt and Tyler (Danielle Berke) Ohrt.

her 9 great-grandchildren,

her brother-in-law,
Robert White, Dubuque, IA;

and her nieces and nephews.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herbert Bleile; and her sisters, Harriet (Henry) Baal and Lorraine “Babe” White.

Bernadine’s family would like to thank the entire staff of Oak Park Place and Hospice of Dubuque for the excellent, compassionate care of Bernadine and her family.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among her favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com