Bernadette Heim

MADISON / CROSS PLAINS - It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Bernadette Marion Heim, who passed away at Agrace HospiceCare on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2020. Born to Anthony and Angeline (Atkielski) Poker on July 14, 1921, she was raised with her younger sisters in Whitefish Bay, Wis. and graduated from St. John’s Cathedral High School. Shortly after the end of World War II she met John “Jack” Heim, the man she would spend the rest of her life with. They were engaged within a month and married on Dec. 27, 1947. Thus began a wonderful partnership that was to last 72 years. After their children were born the family moved to Elm Grove, where they resided for the next two decades. Bernadette experienced a significant setback at the age of 26, when she was diagnosed with a severe hearing loss, however she would not allow her disability to define her. She carried on with grace and dignity and went on to have a successful career with the Federal Government that spanned three decades. After her retirement as Office Manager of the Milwaukee office of the NLRB – National Labor Relations Board, she and Jack moved to Arizona, where they were able to spend many happy years together. When the time came to move closer to family, they decided to settle near their daughter in Cross Plains. For the past two years they have resided at Brookdale Madison West. Bernadette is survived by her beloved husband, Jack; son, Johnny (Mary); daughter, Annette “Mitzi” (Jack) Buggy; sister, Dolores (Dr. William) Stekiel; and brother-in-law, Ray (Betty) Heim. She is further survived by her grandson, John Heim; granddaughters, Lisa (Brian) Yoo, Kate Buggy, Sara (Shane) Sungkapan and Megan (Jake) Chitel; as well as great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Mason, Kendall, Audrey, Ethan and Max. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Jane, and her husband, Al Sachen; and other good friends and relatives too numerous to mention here. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Thursday June 4, 2020. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Thursday. Please note that church attendance is limited to 50, that social distancing rules will apply and that masks should be worn in the narthex. The family would like to thank Drs. Daniel Jarzemsky (retired) and James Haine, as well as staff at UW Health, Meriter Hospital, Agrace HospiceCare and Brookdale Madison West for their excellent care and concern. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bernadette’s name may be made to the St. Francis Xavier Parish Endowment Fund in Cross Plains. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Mom, you were a sweet and elegant lady who will be forever missed and loved. Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Care 2421 Church St. (608) 798-3141