Bernard Edmund Smith

MADISON- Bernard E. Smith passed away on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at UW-Hospital. He was born on Nov. 24, 1919, in Grandview. Wis., the son of Robert and Anna Smith, the youngest of five children. Bernie graduated from Drummond High School with the class of 1939. He worked as a Cant Hook man and played baseball in and around the Grandview area until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942, and proudly serving his country in North Africa, Corscia, France and Germany. After the army, Bernie began working for Wisconsin Bell, where in 1952 he met Dorothy Sarazin, a pretty telephone operator who previously played professional baseball as a pitcher for The South Bend Blue Sox in the All American Girls Baseball League. Bernie and Dorothy went to a baseball game for their first date and truly shared a mutual love of the game. They were married on Sept. 19, 1955, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Ashland, Wis. Bernie and Dorothy resided in Ashland until Bernie's job transfer to Madison, where they built their home on in 1955. He was fortunate to have resided in that home filled with wonderful memories for 60 years; right up until his death. Bernie and Dorothy were charter members of St. Dennis Catholic Church. Together they had a strong faith and set a great example of good, loving, hardworking Christian parents. Their children and grandchildren attended St. Dennis School. After a 35 year career as one of Dane County's best cable repairmen, which included working many Holidays and overtime, Bernie retired from Wisconsin Bell in 1982. He enjoyed playing golf and had TWO career holes-in-one; not bad for someone who took up the game at age 60. Bernie was a good self-taught "Mr. Fix –it". He did most all of his home repairs and remodeling himself. Bernie was also a very gifted gardener. There wasn't a vegetable he couldn't successfully grow. Tomatoes and cucumbers were his specialty and he shared everything he grew with neighbors, family, friends and pretty much anyone. Bernie also loved pool, bowling, cribbage, poker, deer hunting and spending time with his family. He did like the Green Bay Packers, however he was indeed a Chicago Bears fan, but given what a great man he was, no one really held that against him. One of Bernie's biggest joys ever was being on the Badger Honor Flight in 2013. Bernie is survived by his four children, Sherry (Jim) Herman of Alpharetta, Ga., Larry of De Forest, Shelley (Tim) Koechel of Verona and Sandy (Jon) Rauser of Grafton; grandchildren, Austin and Sally Herman, Kourtney Wilson, Mackenzie Reese and Jessica Reese; his cat Abby and good friend Dave Drinkwater. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy in 2007; his parents; and all 4 siblings. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd., Monona, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, with Father Randy Timmerman presiding. Entombment with Military Honors will be held at Highland Memory Gardens following the Mass. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Badger Honor Flight. Rest in peace Dad / Grandpa! We love you! Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420