Bernard Wilwerding
April 16, 1933 — July 23, 2018
Bernard (Bernie) Joseph Wilwerding was born on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1933, to Isador and Helen (Scheuring) Wilwerding. Bernie was raised on the family farm and grew up attending St. Joseph’s School, graduating from high school in 1951. On April 20, 1953, he was united in marriage to Alma Nehl. After serving in the US Army and being honorably discharged, Bernie and Alma lived a short time in Omaha where he worked as a welder for Gate City Steel. In 1958, the family returned to Earling where he farmed with his father and worked for Bowles Farm Supply. In 1966, he and Cletus “Blondy” Schaben opened B & B Farm Supply. This business provided for Bernie, Alma and their six children for 30 years until his retirement in 1996.
In the 1960’s, Bernie was inspired by the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the new opportunities offered to lay persons for ministry in the Church. He and Alma were very active in the Cursillo Movement and Bernie was one of the first Lay Ministers if the Eucharist in the Diocese of Des Moines.
Bernie always had a passion for serving young people and helping them to know God and grow in their faith. In 1970, he was on the original team that brought and led the Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) movement to the Diocese. He was active in the leadership of TEC in the Diocese throughout the 35 years of the program’s history in Southwest Iowa. Bernie was also active in serving young people through his service as a baseball coach. One of his sources of pride was his dedicated time as Scoutmaster for Troop 142 in Earling. He was very proud of his “Earling Eagles” and the number of scouts who attained that rank during his time of service. He was honored for his service to Scouting by being awarded the St. George Medal, the Manteno District Award of Merit, the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver Award by the Mid-America Council.
After losing his wife of nearly 36 years in 1989, Bernie was blessed to find love again when he met and married Mary Blankenship. Bernie and Mary were united in marriage on November 24, 1993 and combined their family to include all 10 children, in-laws and grandchildren.
Upon retirement, Bernie’s primary goals were to “golf in the Summer and do woodwork in the Winter.” Anyone who was at the Roseman-Glendale Golf Course on just about any day, or was a recipient of any of his crafted projects, can attest to the fact that he fulfilled those goals completely.
Bernie said that he would like to be remembered as “having screwed up a lot” but that each time he got back up and went forward from there.
The absolute greatest source of pride and joy for Bernie was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are the lights of his life and anytime they were around, his joy overflowed to anyone who was present.
Bernie had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday on Easter Sunday three additional times in his life. He celebrated his final and Eternal Easter Birthday on Monday, July 23, 2018 at the age of 85.
Those that Bernie will be joining in their Heavenly Home include his parents, Isador and Helen, his wife, Alma, brother, Edward, sisters-in-law, Rita Block, Dee Dempsey, Jean Laux, Grace Wilwerding and Alma Wilwerding, brothers-in-law, Gerald Block, Jack Dempsey, Dick Laux and Larry Larrison, son-in-law, Ron Herzinger, and grand-children Isaiah, Samuel and Jadyn Wilwerding.
Those left to treasure and pass along Bernie’s dry sense of humor and his legacy of love include: his wife of nearly 25 years, Mary, his children and step-children, Ann Herzinger, Sheila (Dan) Hoffmann, Laura (Harvey) Graeve, Jim (Gigi), Paul (Desiri), and Tony (Jennifer) Wilwerding, Anne (Brian) Teal, Angela (Dewight) Roe, Brad Blankenship, Andrea (Rob) Walters, brother Howard and sister- in-law Nancy Wilwerding, sister, Janice Larrison, 23 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and multitudes of friends and extended family.
In the 1960’s, Bernie was inspired by the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the new opportunities offered to lay persons for ministry in the Church. He and Alma were very active in the Cursillo Movement and Bernie was one of the first Lay Ministers if the Eucharist in the Diocese of Des Moines.
Bernie always had a passion for serving young people and helping them to know God and grow in their faith. In 1970, he was on the original team that brought and led the Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) movement to the Diocese. He was active in the leadership of TEC in the Diocese throughout the 35 years of the program’s history in Southwest Iowa. Bernie was also active in serving young people through his service as a baseball coach. One of his sources of pride was his dedicated time as Scoutmaster for Troop 142 in Earling. He was very proud of his “Earling Eagles” and the number of scouts who attained that rank during his time of service. He was honored for his service to Scouting by being awarded the St. George Medal, the Manteno District Award of Merit, the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver Award by the Mid-America Council.
After losing his wife of nearly 36 years in 1989, Bernie was blessed to find love again when he met and married Mary Blankenship. Bernie and Mary were united in marriage on November 24, 1993 and combined their family to include all 10 children, in-laws and grandchildren.
Upon retirement, Bernie’s primary goals were to “golf in the Summer and do woodwork in the Winter.” Anyone who was at the Roseman-Glendale Golf Course on just about any day, or was a recipient of any of his crafted projects, can attest to the fact that he fulfilled those goals completely.
Bernie said that he would like to be remembered as “having screwed up a lot” but that each time he got back up and went forward from there.
The absolute greatest source of pride and joy for Bernie was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are the lights of his life and anytime they were around, his joy overflowed to anyone who was present.
Bernie had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday on Easter Sunday three additional times in his life. He celebrated his final and Eternal Easter Birthday on Monday, July 23, 2018 at the age of 85.
Those that Bernie will be joining in their Heavenly Home include his parents, Isador and Helen, his wife, Alma, brother, Edward, sisters-in-law, Rita Block, Dee Dempsey, Jean Laux, Grace Wilwerding and Alma Wilwerding, brothers-in-law, Gerald Block, Jack Dempsey, Dick Laux and Larry Larrison, son-in-law, Ron Herzinger, and grand-children Isaiah, Samuel and Jadyn Wilwerding.
Those left to treasure and pass along Bernie’s dry sense of humor and his legacy of love include: his wife of nearly 25 years, Mary, his children and step-children, Ann Herzinger, Sheila (Dan) Hoffmann, Laura (Harvey) Graeve, Jim (Gigi), Paul (Desiri), and Tony (Jennifer) Wilwerding, Anne (Brian) Teal, Angela (Dewight) Roe, Brad Blankenship, Andrea (Rob) Walters, brother Howard and sister- in-law Nancy Wilwerding, sister, Janice Larrison, 23 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and multitudes of friends and extended family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernard Wilwerding, please visit our flower store.