Hildegard BernhardNovember 16, 1929 - March 19, 2011Mrs. Hildegard (nee Lauer) Bernhard of Muenster "went home to be with Jesus" on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Her death occurred at Humboldt District Hospital. She was 81 years of age. Hildegard was born on November 16, 1929, to Nick and Margaret (nee Leinen) Lauer. She attended Monastery School where she attained Grade 8. Hildegard met the love of her life, George Bernhard, and they were married on June 16, 1953. They were blessed with six children: Theresa, Aggie, Michael, Jerry, Lloyd, and Annette. Hildegard devoted her life to loving and caring for her husband and children. Since she was very nutrition-minded, she always had a huge garden and baked many loaves of delicious brown bread. Other interests were helping and serving meals at the Muenster Community Centre, sewing, nature walks and picking berries, making quilts, braiding rugs, and knitting slippers - everyone in the family had warm feet wearing "Grandma's slippers". Hildegard had a very deep faith. She was a member of the Christian Mothers and a Secular Franciscan of the 3rd Order and was devoted to her daily Rosary, Bible readings and Mass. Hildegard is remembered and deeply missed by her loving husband of 57 years, George Bernhard of Muenster; their six children, 24 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren (with one on the way): Theresa (Lorne) Schroeder of LeRoy and family, Michelle (Ken) Stelmach of Sherwood Park, AB, and their children Marya, Nicholas and Sadie, Aaron Schroeder of Calgary, AB, Colin (Jenn) Schroeder of Stony Plain, AB, and children Ronan and Liam, Amy (Kelly) Shepherd of Humboldt and children, Zayda, Cameron and baby to be born soon, and Brittany Schroeder of Saskatoon; Aggie (Leo) Ollerich of Humboldt and family, Karen(David) Poppel of Shellbrook and children Kimberly and Deklen, Kevin (Vanessa) Ollerich of Humboldt and children Chloe, Corbin and Clayton, and Kyle Ollerich; Michael (Debbie) Bernhard of Muenster and family, Robin Bernhard of Winnipeg, MB, Wendy (Kris) Barreto of Vancouver, BC, Christine (Andrew) Hildebrandt of Saskatoon, Melissa Fortowsky (fiancé Devin Sand) of Weyburn and son Zaine, and Megan Fortowsky (fiancé Robert Andrew) of Saskatoon; Jerry (Deb) Bernhard of Regina and family, Nicole and Kaitlyn; Lloyd (Susanne) Bernhard of Muenster and family, Daniel Bernhard of Saskatoon, Nathan Bernhard and Ryan Bernhard, both of Calgary, and Terran Bernhard of Muenster; and Annette (Scott) Engele of Muenster and family, Jessica Engele, Emily Engele, Rebecca Engele, Andrew Engele, and Rachel Engele; three sisters: Marion Skalicky and Rosaline (Branko) Kuhar, all of Chilliwack, BC, and Angie Jantzen of Saskatoon; brother-in-law, Lawrence (Rose) Bernhard of Humboldt; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Nick and Margaret (nee Leinen) Lauer; two brothers: Daniel Lauer and Roman Lauer; parents-in-law, August and Philomena Bernhard; sister-in-law, Josephine Bernhard; nephew, Kevin Jantzen; two brothers-in-law: Walter Skalicky and Walter Bernhard; and by one great-grandson: baby boy Poppel. The Prayer Service for Hildegard was held at St. Peter's Cathedral, Muenster, on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m., led by Donna Lee Bergerman. Scripture readers were Michelle Stelmach and Jessica Engele, and the rosary was led by Angie Jantzen. Music ministry was provided by Myrna Britz, Gail Rueve and organist Sheryl Korte. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Peter's Cathedral on Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB, Fr. Richard Meidl OSB, and Fr. Demetrius Wasylyniuk, OSB. Others taking part were: Terran Bernhard, cross bearer; Emily Engele and Rebecca Engele, altar servers; Brittany Schroeder and Theresa Schroeder, scripture readers; Amy Shepherd, intentions; Karen Poppel, Nicole Bernhard, Kaitlyn Bernhard and Andrew Engele, gift bearers. Music ministry was provided by pianist Christy Waldner and the St. Peter's Parish Choir. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Hildegard's life". Active pallbearers were Aaron Schroeder, Colin Schroeder, Kevin Ollerich, Kyle Ollerich, Robin Bernhard, Daniel Bernhard, Nathan Bernhard and Ryan Bernhard. Interment followed at St. Peter's R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Peter's Cathedral or New Priests Vocation Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
