Bernadine A. Michno, age 77, of Merrill, died Saturday, June 8, 2013, at Ministry St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston.
Bernadine was born Dec. 17, 1935, in Chicago, IL, daughter of the late Elmer and Elsie (Batista) Ludwig. She married Richard E. Michno on Aug. 7, 1954 in Downers Grove, IL. He preceded her in death on Dec. 3, 1999, in Merrill.
In her earlier years, Bernadine worked as a Policy Services Representative for the home office of Prudential Insurance in Chicago, IL. Upon moving to Merrill in 1969, Bernadine became a homemaker and raised her two sons while helping with duties on the farm. She enjoyed the weekly grocery shopping trips to town in helping to provide and maintain a stable home environment for her family.
As her children grew up, Bernadine worked for several cleaning services in the Merrill area, then owned and operated her own cleaning service. Bernadine cleaned many churches and offices throughout Merrill and made many friends whom she worked with and cleaned for throughout her career until she retired in 2012. Bernadine was a former organist and 5th grade catechism teacher where she was a member at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. She enjoyed playing church hymns on her organ and piano at home. Her love for music extended to going to polka dances and co-chairing a ballroom dance club with her husband.
Bernadine also enjoyed walks in the country with her dog, knitting and sewing while she watched television and enjoyed taking bus rides to visit her family. She especially enjoyed country living by planting and tending to her vegetable garden and painting the gnomes that overlooked her various flower beds around her home. Growing up on the north side of Chicago, Bernadine was also an avid baseball fan and enjoyed talking about her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. Like Grandma Bondi, she could no longer wait until next year and had to go Home.
Bernadine is survived by her two sons, Richard (Lisa) Michno, Merrill, and Robert Michno (with Amanda Altan), Oshkosh; two brothers, Glenn (Linda) Ludwig and Anthony (Nancy) Bondi, all of Downers Grove, IL; two step grandchildren, Ian and Ayla; and nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Liturgy/Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday June 15, at Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Father Michael McLain is presiding. Burial will take place at a later date in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Merrill.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.