Obituaries

Bernadine Marie Kuse completed her earthly life's journey in Sherman, Texas at Traditions Senior Living and Memory Care on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. She was born in Saint Louis, Missouri on March 23, 1925. The daughter of Thomas Dewey and Marie Elizabeth Binder Whitmire, Bernadine grew up in a working class family living in the same neighborhood as baseball legend Yogi Berra, a neighborhood rich in multiple ethnic cultures. These multicultural exposures had a strong influence on her formative years, giving her an accepting and tolerant perspective which continued throughout her life. Graduating from Saint Louis' Southwest High School, she carried with her a talent for and a love of music. She used these skills during World War II by volunteering as a singer and musician with the USO on the renowned "Admiral" Mississippi River paddlewheel boat, entertaining servicemen as they prepared to go to war. During this time, she meet a young airman from Scott Field, Illinois, Bernard Kuse, who would become her husband after he returned from the war. Following the war, Bernadine and Bernard married and became known to friends and acquaintances as the two "Bernies." They were inseparable and seemed to do everything as a team. Together, they raised two children, Wayne and Debra. During these years, they lived in Missouri, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Illinois before finally retiring in LaGrange,Texas. Outside the home, Bernadine worked variously as a comptometer (a very early kind of accounting computer) operator, sales clerk, and credit technician, finally retiring from Sears, Roebuck, and Company to care for her ailing parents. But her family was the focal point of her life and she was a devoted wife and mother. As her kids were growing up, she volunteered as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and a Troop leader for her daughter's Girl Scout group. She was especially fond of gardening and singing. This latter talent was frequently displayed by solo presentations in her church choir. After she and her husband retired, Bernadine continued to volunteer service to others, often with Bernard, through multiple organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) auxiliary, Second Chance (recycling) shop through her church, their local homeowners association in LaGrange, Texas and the Perrin AFB Museum In Grayson County, Texas. Bernadine always thought of others before self and didn't miss an opportunity to help someone in need. Whether driving an elderly neighbor to an appointment, preparing a meal for someone under the weather, or simply taking time to send a "thinking of you" note to brighten someone's spirits, she always had a way of making you feel better. In 2009, Bernadine and her husband moved to Sherman, Texas to be closer to their son. They attended the Whitesboro First Methodist Church. Bernadine was preceded in death by her husband of over 67 years, Bernard, and her parents. She is survived by her son Wayne Kuse and wife Roxann of Sherman, daughter Debra Richardson and husband Rob of Plainfield, Illinois, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Bernadine was a beautiful lady, both inside and out. She was greatly loved and will be terribly missed by her family and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons David Charles Richardson and Robert Ramsey Richardson IV. She was cremated according to her wishes and a memorial service will be held at Sherman's Dannel Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, followed by interment at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. The service will be conducted by Pastor Ken Hildebrand from Whitesboro First Methodist Church. Dannel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements and the online guest registry may be signed at www.dannelfuneralhome@yahoo.com . In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Perrin AFB Museum, 436 McCullum Ave., Denison, TX 75020 or to the charity of choice. The family wishes to express appreciation to the staffs of Brookdale Willows Sherman Assisted Living, Traditions Senior Living and Memory Care, and Guardian Hospice for all the kindness they showed to Bernadine.