Bernadette Firkus Obituary, Death- Bernadette “Bernie” Firkus, age 96, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, passed away at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital on Friday, September 15, 2023.
She was a resident of Stevens Point. Bernie Wanta was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin on November 5th, 1926. His parents, Frank and Pauline (Lilla) Wanta, passed away before Bernie was born. She started her education at St. Peter’s Elementary School and continued it at P.J. Jacobs High School, from which she graduated in 1945. St. Peter’s Church was the location of Bernie and Dennis J. Firkus’ wedding on July 16, 1949. On the 12th of January in 1990, he passed away before she did.
Before she tied the knot with Dennis, Bernie worked at what was then known as First National Bank and is now known as BMO Harris Bank. She worked for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) for 15 years after her children had graduated from high school and were on their own.
Bernie was a member of Holy Spirit Parish and was active in a number of the parish’s clubs, including the Prayer and Spirituality Committee, Prayer Partners, the Rosary Society, the Prayer and Spirituality Committee, and a bible study group.
Bernie was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America for fifty years. She served as a Eucharistic Minister for a period of thirty years and was a volunteer at the St. Stanislaus Faith Formation Office for a number of years.
Bernie had a great passion for adventure. She was an avid Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers supporter. Bridge was her favorite game, and she participated in a number of different bridge organizations.
She is survived by her son Tom (Marie), who lives in Plover; her daughter-in-law Suezanne; and her grandsons Nicholas and Michael, who live in California; her sisters Theresa Nolan and Rita (Cliff) Leary, both of whom live in Stevens Point; her sister-in-law Betty Wanta; and a large number of nieces and nephews. Her parents, husband Dennis, son Douglas, brothers Hubert, Max, and Robert, and sister Mary Jane Shafranski all passed away before she did. She was the last surviving member of her family.
On the Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 10:30 AM, a Mass of Christian Burial for Bernie will be conducted at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Stevens Point. The ceremony will be presided over by Reverend Steven Brice.
On Saturday morning, beginning at 9:30 AM, the family will be present in the church to meet and greet friends and relatives until the start of the funeral. The funeral and burial will be held at the Guardian Angel Cemetery. The arrangements for the funeral are being handled by the family with assistance from the Shuda Funeral Chapel in Stevens Point.
