Bernita M. Kees, 103, of Sheboygan, passed away Sunday evening, February 15, 2015 at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Born December 16, 1911, in Sherwood, WI, Bernita was a daughter of the late Anton and Mary Derfus Schilling. She attended Sacred Heart School in Sherwood. She continued her education at Appleton Vocational School. On June 4, 1940, she was united in marriage to Francis M. Kees at Sacred Heart Church in Sherwood. They were married for 32 years before Francis preceded her in death on July 1, 1972. Bernita worked in the kitchen at Greendale Nursing Home until her retirement in 1994 at the age of 82. She previously worked as a cook for 17 years at the Playdium Restaurant and another 17 years at St. Nicholas Hospital in the cafeteria. She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church where she attended Mass every Saturday night where she could be found praying the rosary before Mass. She was also a member of the Catholic Knights and a member of the Christian Mothers Society where she helped serve funeral dinners. She enjoyed trips to Oneida, Keshena, Sheboygan along with her Thursday bingo afternoons with the Sheboygan Seniors at Zion Church where she was very lucky playing bingo. She also enjoyed playing sheepshead with her friends and family. She loved to cook, bake, and fish but her greatest joy was making meals for her family and baking with her grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Doris (Jerome) Feustel, Roman Kees and Thomas (fiancé Judith Shaske) Kees, all of Sheboygan; seven grandchildren, Julie McMunn, Sheboygan, Richard (Sonia) Feustel, Fond du Lac, Allen (Terri) Feustel, Neenah, Tammy (Doug) Hedges, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Michael (Debbie) Kees, Plymouth, Kathy (Steven) Koenig, Fayetteville, NC, and Heidi (Scott) Mabie, Plymouth; eleven great grandchildren, J, Steven, Thomas, Baily, Draven, Taelynn, Matt, Jason, Cameron, Jonathan and Derek; seven great great grandchildren, Katlin, Christopher, Madelynn, Machelle, Mackenzie, Aubrey and Allayna. Besides her parents and husband, Francis, she was preceded in death by her son, Marlin (Marye) Kees, her brother, Emery (Amelia) Schilling, and a grandson-in-law, Tim McMunn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 21st and Geele Avenue. The Rev. Philip D. Reifenberg will celebrate the Mass. Family and friends are welcome at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name. The family would like to thank Dr. Dean Mancheski and the nurses and staff of St. Nicholas Hospital, Golden Living Center and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for all of their loving care and support. The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation has been entrusted with Bernita's arrangements.
