Obituaries & Guestbook

Bernadine “Pat” Bauer was reunited with her beloved husband in heaven just in time for Christmas. She peacefully left this earth on December 13th at the age of 98, with all of her children surrounding her.

She was born on August 5, 1920 in Appleton, WI, the daughter of William and Sarah Alice (Turner) Hamernik. She moved to Sheboygan as a young child and graduated from St. Peter Claver grade school in 1934. “Pat”, the name she was affectionately given by her school friends, graduated from Sheboygan High School in 1938. Since then she enjoyed organizing the majority of their class reunions.

After graduation, she began working as an inspector for the Hand Knit Hosiery, currently known as Wigwam Mills.

She met the love of her life, Christ Bauer, at a dance at Turner Hall. They were married on September 7, 1940 at St. Clement in Sheboygan, WI and cherished 67 years of marriage before he passed in 2007.

In 1942, the couple moved to Madison, WI where Christ taught radio operations at Truax Field for the Army/Air Force and Pat worked in the Madison Kipp defense plant. They were then briefly transferred to Bellville, IL. When they returned to Sheboygan, she worked for a brief time at Electric Sprayette until the birth of their first child, and she then chose to be an at-home Mom, raising their family of five children. In 1964 she returned to the workforce, working at H.C. Prange until she retired in 1976. Always willing to be of help to others, she also spent many hours as a volunteer at St. Nicholas Hospital and the Sheboygan voting polls.

Her faith and religion were deeply rooted and unshakeable. She also instilled this faith in her children and grandchildren. Pat was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Parish, where she served her church in a variety of volunteer capacities. She also volunteered at Christ’s former church, Luther Memorial.

From little on, she could be found with a deck of cards in her hand, her favorite games being Sheepshead and Bridge. Pat made many lifelong friends being a part of several Card Clubs. She also enjoyed sewing, and was a proficient seamstress and mender. If there wasn’t a pattern for something, she’d make one. If anything had a hole in it, or if something got torn, “Take it to Gramma and it will come back like new!”

Her family meant the world to her, especially her 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. They all have wonderful memories of the good times spent with her over the years. She was ever-present, and enjoyed spending quality time with each and every one of them. They all knew that “Gramma’s doors and arms were always open”. It was always a fun and loving place to be, and for her to not have treats for them was unthinkable.

Pat is survived by her children: Kathleen Plesetz of Sheboygan Falls, Jean Marquardt of Sheboygan, Ron (Nancy) Bauer of Sheboygan, Bob (Mary) of Cleveland, and Peggy (Jake) Blazkovec of Algoma; her grandchildren: Judi Plesetz, Mary (John) Mueller, Scott Plesetz, Jaime (Jason) Doll, Brian Marquardt, Brian (Sheila) Hemb, Scott Hemb, Stacy (Shawn) Marten, Partick (Rebecca) Bauer, Nicholas (Kristi) Bauer, Robert (Rachel) Galanis, Jacob Blazkovec, Leah Blazkovec; her 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, RoseMarie DiMaggio of Ocean Springs MS; one sister-in-law, Beverly Bauer of Sheboygan, many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends.

Preceding her in death were her loving husband Christ, one son-in-law Frank Plesetz, siblings William (Ruth) Hamernick, Robert (Patricia) Hamernik, Marguerite (Dr. Robert) Deutsch, and an infant brother James Carlton, and brother-in-law Paul DiMaggio. Pat is further preceded by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Conrad (Marie) Bauer, Richard Bauer, Arthur (Carol) Bauer, Harold Bauer, and a sister-in-law Emily (Fred) Leizen.

Family and friends may gather at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1305 Humboldt Ave., Sheboygan on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 10 a.m. until the time of mass at 12 noon. Fr. Paul Fliss will officiate. Entombment to follow in the Chapel of Eternal Light at Greenlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Pat’s name.

Pat’s family would like to thank Dr. Michael Johnson and his staff for their care over the years, and also the amazing people at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for the dignity, peace and comfort she so greatly deserved in her final days. Last but definitely not least, our entire family will be forever grateful to our sister and aunt Jeannie for her devotion to Gramma and Grandpa for the last 20 years.