Bernice Schmidt, 85

Bernice Schmidt (Collins), 85, of West Bend , formerly of Milwaukee , passed away on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at Tri-Manor following a short illness.

She was born Sept. 1, 1923, in Hartford to the late William and Margaret (Komp) Collins.

She was united in marriage to George Schmidt Jr. on Jan. 6, 1945, at St. Killian’s Catholic Church in Hartford . George has preceded her in death.

Bernice worked at the West Bend Co., Natural Casing Co. in Hartford and Fancy Frozen Foods in Milwaukee .

She enjoyed camping and doing crafts of all kinds. She especially enjoyed spending time with her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Bernice is survived by her sister, Lucille (Leo) DeGroot; her sisters-in-law, Mary Safford, Caroline (Frank) Jackson and Rachel Hill; and her brothers-in-law, Jake and John Schmidt. She is further survived by her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Schmidt Jr.; her parents, William and Margaret Collins; two sisters Mary Collins and Irene (Alfred) Thompson; her in-laws, George and Katharine Schmidt; her sisters-in-law, Kate Cyr, Eva Gould, Helen and Virginia Schmidt; and her brothers-in-law, Alfred Thompson, Hank Safford, Jack Cyr, Charlie Hill and Henry Schmidt.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend , with Fr. Gerald Brittain presiding.

Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee .

Visitation will be Monday, at the church only from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

Memorials to the Holy Angels School Trust Fund or the charity of the donor’s choice are appreciated.

Bernice’s family would like to thank the staff of Tri-Manor and Heartland Hospice for their care and concern for Bernice during her illness.

The Schmidt Funeral Home on West Bend is serving the family, www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.