Fifth Generation

69. James Gilbert "Jim" BERNHARDT was born on 7 April 1940 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^27,38

James Gilbert "Jim" BERNHARDT and Mabel Ann MILLER were married on 25 July 1964 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^{38,100,101,102} Mabel Ann MILLER, daughter of Richard Carl MILLER and Mae Agnes BLASKEY, was born on 12 May 1940 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^27,101,102 She graduated in 1958 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁹¹ from Tomah High School. She died on 21 March 2015 at the age of 74 in Clifton, Clifton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁰²

Obituary Notes: "Mabel A. Bernhardt, 74 of Clifton passed away Saturday, March 21, 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born May 12, 1940, to Richard and Mae (Blaskey) Miller in LaGrange Township.

In her elementary and high school years, Mabel was very active in 4-H and received the highest awards. After graduating from Tomah High School in 1958, she went to River Falls University and received a degree in education. While attending River Falls, Mabel was very proud about receiving the Miss Newmanite Award for Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. After graduating from college, she taught school at Janesville for two years.

On July 25, 1964, she married the love of her life, James Bernhardt, at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomah. Mabel continued to teach at Camp Douglas School a year before she started raising her family. She also continued to substitute at the Camp Douglas and Oakdale schools for 30 years. She dearly loved working with and helping children whenever she could. Her family of four girls, her husband and grandchildren were always a first in her life. She enjoyed attending their school events and the sports that they were in. The ever busy life of living on the farm made it more difficult to attend events, but Mabel was always there. Mabel was a charter member of the Clifton Sportsman’s Club and was very active with the club since its beginning in 1975.

She was a faithful and devoted member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and served on the PCCW for many years. For several years she was a poll worker for the Clifton Township and became chief inspector until her health no longer allowed her. She was also a member of the Clifton Farmerettes who helped out in the community by giving parties for the young children and special treats for the shut-ins.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, James; four daughters, Denise (Tom) Murray of Kendall, Lisa (David) Powell of Clifton, Teresa (Scott) Eberhardt of Kendall, and Kathy (Daniel) Raffesberger of Chippewa Falls; ten grandchildren, Erica, Josh and Nick Murray, all of Kendall, Tyson (Jennifer) Powell of Virginia Beach, Va., Tyler Ann (Steven) Downing of Milwaukee, Jacob and Emily Powell, both of Clifton, Cole Eberhardt of Kendall, Ethan and Elena Raffesberger of Chippewa Falls; and a great-grandson, Zane Downing of Milwaukee; two sisters, Bertha Leeser of Hales Corners, and Berniece Helming, and brother-in-law, Calvin Pasch, both of Tomah; two sisters-in-law, Doris (Roland) Kelley and Sue (Ken) Prielipp-Olsen, both of Tomah. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Terri Lynn Powell; a sister, Bernieta Pasch; a brother and sister-in-law, William (Diane) Miller; two brothers-in-law, Charles Leeser and Merle Helming; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Don (Donna) Muehlenkamp, Gary Prielipp; and mother and father-in-law, Gilbert and Leona Bernhardt.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 18316 County Hwy N, Tomah. Father Graham and Father Leeser will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4 to 8 p.m., with a parish rosary at 4 p.m., Wednesday at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Mabel’s memory to Tomah Hospice Touch and Tomah Area Cancer Support (TACS.)"

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James Gilbert "Jim" BERNHARDT and Mabel Ann MILLER had the following children: