Bernadette Schreier

Schreier, Bernadette "Tomi" MIDDLETON/ WAUNAKEE - Bernadette Theresa Odelia Radermacher Schreier, Tomi to all who knew her, was born on May 22, 1914, in Ashton Corners, Dane County. One of eight children of John and Eugenia (Schwab) Radermacher, she completed the eighth grade at St. Peters parish school and went to work on the family farm. She enjoyed recounting her exploits in the school spelling bee in which she placed first, she could still recollect and spell the word camouflage in her last years. She spent her young adulthood serving as au pair to Robert and Harriet Holland of Madison. She met her husband, Ernest (Ernie) A. Schreier, in her late twenties, and they married on March 3, 1943. She accompanied him to several army bases in Texas, Pennsylvania and California, before he shipped overseas to serve in the European Theater. After the war, she was homemaker and mother to five children at her long-time residence on University Avenue in Middleton. A member of Middleton Ladies Bowling League, she bowled with teams that were often league champions and she achieved the honor of the highest season average (158). She played cards, both euchre and cribbage, avidly and expertly; she was fond of tutoring her grandchildren in the intricacies of the games, reminding them that "The ace three times aint the Dutchmans" and "Nobs makes one more." She was an aficionado of wild asparagus, blackberry bushes, hogs head cheese, rhubarb pie and homemade breads and pastries. A lifelong congregant of St. Bernards parish in Middleton, she found in her faith a saving source of comfort and strength. She was the dearest of friends to many and a joy to all who made her acquaintance. She is survived by three sons, Frederick, James (Jean Turner) and Thomas "TJ" (Karen Anderson); a daughter, Susan; seven grandchildren, Scott Osborn and Gary Bellows Jr., Jesse (Anna Aguilera) and Cory Schreier and Nora, William and Robert Schreier; and beloved niece, Beverly Ingwell Hull. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Ernest (1986); her daughter, Mary Ann (2001); her lifelong friends, Anita Schwenn Mathison and Norma Forsmo; and her siblings, Harry, James, Raymond, Werner (Root), Sally Maly, Betty Kelly and Odelia Cummings. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton at 11 a.m. (TODAY) Friday, March 23, 2007, with Monsignor Douglas Dushack presiding. Friends may call today from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.