Bernard J. Wieser

Hokah,MN Bernard J.(Bernie) Wieser (96) passed away on Saturday September 12,2020 at Caledonia Rehabilitation and Retirement, where he has lived since February 2015. He was born at home in Butterfield Valley to Julia (Feldmeier) and Louis Wieser. He attended St Peter’s School in Hokah, from age 5 through Grade 12, graduating from St Peter’s High School in 1941. He was proud to have attended St Peter’s and spoke of his classmates and school experiences. He enjoyed going through most of 12 years of school in the same grade with his older sister Dorothy (Wieser) Klug after she was sick and needed to be held back. His mother got permission from Msgr Wermisccirchen for Bernard to start school early. He told this story often. His Grandmother Barbara Wieser came to live with them after Surgery made her “an invalid”. She lived with the family for 17 years and the house had to be quiet.

He was a lifelong learner reading 3 monthly &1 weekly magazines and a daily Newspaper until recently.

He remained at home after High School graduation, farming with his Mom and Dad. On January 21, 1950, he married Gertrude (Trudy) Lemke.Together they raised six children -- Patricia (Pat) (Richard-Dick) Berendes, Thomas (Tom)(Kim) Wieser,William(Bill)(Pam) Wieser,John(Kathy) Wieser, James(Jim)(Mary Ellen)Wieser,Mark(Molly) Wieser.

Along with Trudy, he farmed Valley and Ridge acres. They cared for a small herd of Dairy Cows, Sows that had litters of piglets twice a year, laying hens for eggs and broilers for the freezer. Bud also kept Draft Horses to cultivate vegetable, berry and potato plots on the farm. He donated hundreds of #’s of potatoes every year to the St Peter’s Roast Beef Dinners. They raised crops of hay, oats and corn. Bernie hired his woods logged at intervals which sustained him into his old age. Bernie found odd jobs around the farm to keep busy well into his 80’s. Jim completed the purchase of the farm in 2015.

Bernie and Trudy worked together to get through “thick and thin.”   Mom developed Dementia which became Alzheimers officially in 2009. They decided to use Meals on Wheels Program. Because they lived outside Hokah City limits, Dad drove to The Sidewalk Cafe, M-Fri to pick up their midday meal. The townspeople got used to seeing this ritual. On October 31, 2011, catastrophe happened. Dad fell to the pavement and broke a hip, while trying to adjust the tailgate of his pickup. Jim and Mary and Mark got a shortcourse in caring for an Alzheimers patient when caring for Mom at home while Dad had surgery. We were able to get them into a Double Room At Golden Living in LaCrescent when there were no good options. With Dad’s hard work in therapy, they were able to return to Butterfield Valley in 6 weeks.

In early 2013, Mom’s health and general condition was failing. After some falls, and assistance from the Hokah First Responders, Dad arranged for Mom to be assessed. She saw Dr Franta, who suggested she be hospitalized. Her next stop was Golden Living in LaCrescent, where she lived until she passed away on August 2, 2013.

Dad lived alone through the winter of 2014-2015- his 91st year.

In a conversation with our brother Tom, it was clear Dad had enough and it was his preference to move to Assisted Living. He chose to move to what is now Caledonia Rehabilitation and Retirement. He declined offers from John and Kathy and Mark and Molly to live with one of them.

He left his lifetime home in the Valley, and literally did not look back as Dick and I took him to Caledonia. It was like taking your kid to College for the first time. He seemed genuinely happy and excited. He was an example in Minimalism in the few but significant belongings he had ready to take along.

He began in Assisted Living in February 2015, and moved to the Nursing Home side mid December 2017.His final decline was only recognized in hindsight, when he started using fewer words to becoming totally mute. In spite of this, his profound Hearing loss, and the Pandemic, Bernie became very connected with the Staff at Caledonia Rehab and Retirement.

He communicated with his blue eyes, nods yes and no, smiles and other nonverbal communication.Bernie was able to feel contented and “at home” during   these many months of being unable to visit him in person or virtually despite valiant attempts with the latter, by Rachel in Activities.

Bernie was active in his local & County Community. He took on positions of leadership.

Houston County Farm Bureau

50 year Fire Warden

Hokah Co-op Board

Hokah School Board during the time of Consolidation Discussions and Vote

St Peter’s Parish Council

St Peter’s Confirmation Teacher

Knights of Columbus

Bernie was a quiet serious person who could get his point made and defend it. He also laughed loud at a Euchre, 500 or Pinochle table. He took great joy in visits from especially his Grandchildren and Greatgrandchildren.  He headed 2 families of 4th Generation Wiesers.

He was known as Bernard J., Bernard, Bud, Bernie, Daddy, Dad, Uncle Bernard, Grampa Bernie, Grampa Wieser, Grampa.

Bernie was preceded in death by his wife,Trudy, his sisters, Sister Juliana SSND, Sister Aloysius SSND, Dorothy Klug, his inlaws Mary( Schiltz) Colleran,Eugene Schiltz, Bill Colleran, Rainer Klug and Fr John Lemke, his dear granddaughter Monica Ann Wieser.

He is survived by his six children and their spouses. Grandchildren- Charles (Chuck)(Polly) Berendes, Gabriel (Gabe)(Annie)Berendes, Anna (Tim)Shebesta, Nathan (Ana)Wieser, Greta (Wieser),Steve Wieser, Stephanie(Stef)(Ryan)Decker, Christine (Chrissy)(Dave)Hackfort, Jon(Ashley)Wieser,

Adam (Liz)Wieser,Jill(Jesse)Goembel, Danny(Amy) Wieser Evemarie(Josh)Landsinger, Jasmine(John)Perrote, Clara,Abby,and Ben Wieser

Greatgrandchildren--Charlotte, Louie & Hank Berendes. Eddie & Benet Berendes.Josie Shebesta and baby Shebesta due any day.  Stella Wieser. Brooklyn and Ashton Decker, Raegan and Olivia Hackfort. Coley,Adelyn( Addy) & Huck Wieser. Oscar, Logan & Jackson Goembel. Teddy & Charlie Wieser. Leanna Wieser Aliza Perrote. Kimberly, Vanessa,Madeline (Maddy) &Paisley Landsinger.

Bernie in addition, is survived by dear cousins, nieces and nephews & friends.

Due to Covid, a Private Family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Peter’s Church in Hokah. Fr Tom Melvin will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Hokah MN.

Memorials preferred to St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s School, Caledonia Rehabilitation and Retirement, Mayo Hospice or Donor’s preference.