GRATIOT - Bernadine M. Leitzen, age 89 of Gratiot, WI, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2010 at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in Darlington surrounded by her family. Bernadine was born on September 30, 1921 the daughter of Ernest and Vangie (Allen) Ewing. When she was 16, she moved to Madison where she worked as a housekeeper and a babysitter. At age 18, she moved to Stockton and was employed at Kraft Food Company. Bernadine married William David Leitzen on June 30, 1942 at Holy Cross Church in Stockton, IL. They lived on a farm in Lena, IL before moving to Gratiot in 1958. She spent her life raising a family, homemaking, and sharing the farm work with her husband, Bill. Bernadine was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot and of its Council of Catholic Women where she also served on the Church Council and taught Catechism. She was a past president of Lafayette County Homemakers and a member of the Harmony Homemaker group. Bernadine enjoyed cooking and recipes, playing Canasta, making crafts, and caring for the farm and the animals on it. Her greatest joy was her family and especially her husband, Bill, with whom she shared 68 years.

Bernadine will be dearly missed by her husband, Bill; her four children: Roger (Kay) Leitzen of Milaca, MN, Carol (John) McDaniel of Darlington, Alan (Kathy) Leitzen of Roberts, WI, Debra (Ted) Kieffer of Dodgeville; 11 grandchildren: Tonya Leitzen of Mankato, MN, Tenille Leitzen of Milaca, MN, Christine (Howard) Hill of Highland Park, IL, Richard (Amy) McDaniel of Darlington, Bonnie McDaniel of Columbus, Tamara (Todd) Pettijohn of Elkhorn, Angela Leitzen of Roberts, Michael Leitzen of Oak Park Heights, MN, Matthew (Sandy) Leitzen of McFarland, Kurtis Kieffer of Dodgeville, Shane Kieffer of Dodgeville, 2 step-grandchildren: Kristina (Nick) Neff of Shullsburg and Michelle (Justin Monson) Kieffer of Juda; 8 great-grandchildren: Lily Leitzen, Emma and Bridgit Hill, Erica Halvorson, Cole Pettijohn, Janelle Olson, Tyler and Zachary Leitzen; 7 step-great-grandchildren: Cory, Chayse, and Cashton Hermanson, Jennifer and Timothy Bronson, Joseph Turpin, and Kaylee Neff; a great-great-grandson, Alexander Hartington; her brother, Byron (Arbutus Shumacher) Ewing of Muscoda; a brother-in-law, Russell Aurand of Winslow, IL; other relatives, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and many brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot, WI with Fr. David Wanish officiating.

Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Stockton, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at STEIL CAMACHO FUNERAL HOME, 206 E. Harriet Street, Darlington, WI.

www.darlingtonfuneralhome.com

608-776-2461