Barbara A. Bernhard

Barbara A. Bernhard, 88, of Freeport died on October 13th at Provena St. Joseph's Nursing home. Barb was born August 1, 1936 in Dubuque, lowa the daughter of Edmund and Mary (Corpstein) Manders. She graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in 1954. She married Cotton (Walter) Bernhard on October 4, 1958.

After 13 years of marriage, her husband's job on the railroad transferred them to Central City, KY and Louisville, KY. They moved to Forreston, IL where Barb worked at the Forreston State Bank for 23 years.

Upon her retirement in 2001 they moved to Freeport, IL.

Barb did volunteer work at FHN Hospital, was an auxiliary member of Provena - St. Joseph Center and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

She is survived by her two sons, Steve (Marie) Bernhard of Freeport and Gregg (Pattie) Bernhard of Byron, IL and one daughter Beth (Brian) Hopkins of Charlotte, NC; 6 grandchildren, Daniel (Sarah) Bernhard of Yorkville, IL, Christopher Bernhard of Rockford, IL, Conor (Kristine) Bernhard of Dubuque, IA, Drew (Eric) DeWulf of Washington, D.C., Megan (Caleb Taylor) Hopkins of Fishersville, VA and Jacob Hopkins of Charlotte, NC; 2 great-granddaughters, Madison and Aubrey Bernhard and a third great-grandchild due in February; 1 sister Mary Jeanne (Jim) Trosky of McHenry, IL and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

We would like to thank the nurses and CNA's that took such good care of her at St. Joseph's Provena and also all the staff at St. Croix Hospice, with a special thank you to Alana DePratt.

The funeral mass for Mrs. Bernhard will be Wednesday, October 16 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 at the church. Cremation rites will take place and burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Croix Hospice, 185 Buckley Drive, Suite B, Rockford, IL 61107.