Bernadine Mae Walsh

Bernadine Mae Walsh, age 80, of Lyndon Station, Wisconsin passed away Monday, September 4, 2017 at Fair View Nursing Home in Mauston, Wisconsin.

Bernie Mae Walsh was born on February 28, 1937 in Reedsburg, Wisconsin to John B. and Bernice (Lada) Horkan. She was raised on a farm in the town of Dellona in Sauk County and graduated from Reedsburg High School. She later received her teaching certificate from the Sauk County Normal School and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Bernie taught school in a one-room school outside of Reedsburg after college and continued to be an advocate of education after she left Reedsburg and served on the Mauston School Board for several years.

Bernie was active member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Altar Society and Sodality. For many years, she served on the board of directors for Lindina Mutual Insurance. She was also an outstanding homemaker, seamstress, baker and cook; and was a member of Sevenweir Homemakers Club for more than 50 years where she led that group in many community activities and projects.
Bernie was extremely proud of her Irish Heritage. She was a long-time member of the South Central Shamrock Club and was awarded the club’s Irish Rose Award. She was passionate about genealogy and researched and compiled an extensive genealogy for the Horkan Family that dates back to her ancestral roots in Ireland, all without the aid of a computer.

Bernie is survived by Bob, her husband of 56 years; daughter, Deb (Luke) Hensler of Portage and son, Mark of Lyndon Station. She has two grandsons; Dayne and Hayes Hensler of Portage.
Bernie is further survived by her sister, Helen Knuth; her brothers, Larry (Janice) Horkan and Ed (Judy) Horkan and sister-in-law, Lois Horkan, all of Reedsburg. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Bernie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jed, John, brother-in-law, Gene Knuth, sisters-in-law, Margaret Scully and Sister Mary Walsh.
Special thanks must be given to the “Army of Angels” at Fairview Nursing Home in Mauston, who provided round-the-clock care for the past several years and have become part of our family. Dr. Timothy Hinton also needs to be thanked for his honesty, compassion and friendship.

Visitation will be held from 9-11 AM on Friday, September 15th at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Lyndon Station, Wisconsin. A funeral mass will take place at 11 AM. A private burial will be held at a later time.

Memorials can be made to Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Lyndon Station, Wisconsin.