Bernice M. Rochwite, 86, of West Bend is safe in the arms of Jesus having gone home on June 10, 2013. She was born on December 10, 1926 to Edwin and Margaret (nee Nehrbass) Barenz. She grew up in the Town of Richfield and graduated from Menomonee Falls High School in 1944.
On June 10, 1944 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Rochwite of West Bend. She was the faithful mother of eight children: Dennis (Barbara) Rochwite of Birnamwood, Judy Clark of West Bend, Kathy (Jerry) Intihar of Richfield, MN, John Rochwite of West Bend, Debbie (Steve) Lessard of Milwaukee, Nancy (Mark) Wendt of Waukesha, Janine Rochwite of West Allis, and Laurie (Rod) Flohr of Ladysmith.
Besides being an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan, Green Bay Packer fan, and NASCAR follower of Matt Kenseth, Bernice's passions included counted cross stitch, crocheting and gardening. She was a member of the Cherries Jubilee Red Hat Society. She was a faithful prayer warrior and a member of Emmaus Bible Church. She loved God and His Word being a part of many Bible studies and a proud graduate of Bible Study Fellowship. She truly exemplified Proverbs 31.
Those Bernice leaves behind to cherish her memory include her eight children;13 grandchildren: Sherri (Keith) Konzal, Christie (Dean) Dieringer, Tracy Rochwite, Thomas (Renee) Clark, Jr., Angela (Ryan) Sjosten, Reginald (Lisa) Rochwite, Melanie (Jason) Lee, Matthew (Sara) Intihar, Shawn (Julia) Heyrman, Charles Rochwite, Ashley (Steve Bradley) Wendt, Maggie Wendt and Kenneth J. Rochwite; 18 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is further survived by one brother, Melvin (Cele) Barenz; one sister-in-law, Darleen Rochwite; multiple nieces and nephews; her church family; fellow prayer warriors Georgene DeWitt and Sandy Muckerheide; and many, many other dear relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death are her husband, Kenneth Rochwite, her parents, Edwin and Margaret Barenz; parents-in-law, Stewart and Mollie Rochwite, Sr., brothers Harold Barenz, Harvey Barenz, and Robert Barenz, sister, Viola Schuldt, and her brother-in-law Stewart Rochwite, Jr.
A Celebration of Bernice's Life will be at 6:00 PM on Friday, June 14, 2013 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel, 1420 W. Paradise Dr. in West Bend with Rev. James Taylor presiding. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 2:00 PM until 5:45 PM on Friday, June 14, 2013. Interment of cremains will take place at Newark Cemetery in West Bend at a later time.
Sincere gratitude to the ICU and cardiac cath nurses and doctors at Grafton's Aurora Medical Center- St. Luke's Cardiac Care- you blessed us beyond measure and Mom felt truly connected and cared for by you! We would also like to thank Pastor Ron Risse for all of his support, ministry, and care to our mom and family during this time.