Bernadette R. Thesing

Bernadette Thesing (Domke), of La Crescent, MN, passed away at the Golden Living Center on January 16, 2020. She was born February 26, 1929 in Genoa, WI, to Bernard and Magdalena (Penchi) Domke. She graduated Aquinas High School in 1947. She then met her true love, Roy Thesing, at the Concordia Ballroom. They were married at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Genoa, WI on April 28, 1956. She held many jobs, including working at the former Holiday Inn between La Crosse and La Crescent, and her favorite job, which was working in food service at Viterbo University. She loved that work, because it reflected her purpose, taking care of others and sharing her heart with a younger generation. Bernadette was the epitome of a beautiful Catholic. She instilled the love of faith in the hearts of many by loving Christ and living that love with an open, loving, forgiving heart, and judgement of no one.

Bernadette loved music, singing, dancing, and could yodel with the best of them. Her first love was sports (especially baseball), and loved following the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s’ school teams. None of that compared to her greatest joy, which was her family. Her family was her everything, and she gave her whole self to praying for, caring for, and loving them unconditionally. Once you stepped foot into her house you were home and became family. Bernadette’s love and generosity went beyond blood, and though she never had much to give, no one left her presence without a full belly and knowing kindness.

Bernadette is survived by 3 sons, David of La Crescent, MN, Gary (Cheryl) of Winona, MN, and Claude (Christie) of LaCrosse, WI; 3 daughters Yvette (Bruce) Stotesbery of North Bend, WI, Lisa (Mike) Kuhlmann of La Crescent, MN, and Mary (Todd) Smith of Holmen, WI; 13 grandchildren Laura (Mark) Nicolai, Jeremy (Danielle) Hadley, Nathaniel Hadley, Missy (Danny) Rivers, Emily (Ian) Thesing, Matthew Thesing, Samantha Kuhlmann, Rena (Stephanie) Greer,   Jacquelyn (David) Hose, Zachary Lewis, Aden Lewis, Sam Smith, and Jake Smith; 15 great-grandchildren Anna (Marcel), Elizabeth, Clara, Arnold, Adeline, Connor, Domingo, Dacoda, Rita, Emma, Lincoln, Kyder, Jackson, Jayson, and Eloise; and 1 great-great-grandchild Finnian. She is also survived by her twin brother Bernard (Marilyn) Domke and sister Monica Domke; as well as many nieces and nephews. Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents; her   husband, Roy; and two sons John and Bernard; her sister Rita (Domke) Nelson; and brother Joseph Domke.

You touched the lives of so many. Your home was always full. You had no idea how important you are, then, now, and always. You held our hands, and picked us up when we fell. You kissed our pain away, and hugged us until we were whole. You took on our burdens as if they were your own and always let us know we were never alone. You taught us to be strong and to always climb that mountain, because at the end we would find success. You have reached the pinnacle of your mountain, and you are in full glory of His presence. You are home.

Memorial services will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crescent chapel; 111 South Oak St. Rev. John L. Evans II will officiate. Friends may call on the family Wednesday at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of services.