Bernard J. Kass 1928-2013

KASS, KLOSTERMANN, STRONCK, DEMMER, BERGFELD, FANGMANN, GANSEN, LEHMANN, SCHAUL

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 10/19/2015 at 19:59:37

PEOSTA, Iowa - Bernard J. Kass, 85, of 8294 Kalb Ridge Street, Peosta, and formerly of Bankston, died Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, at 9:30 p.m. at his home in Peosta, surrounded by his family.

Friends and relatives of Bernie may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, where a wake service will be held at 1:30 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary service at 7:30 p.m. Services for Bernie will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at St. John the Baptist Church in Peosta, with the Rev. John Haugen officiating. Burial will be held in St. Clement's Cemetery in Bankston.

Bernie was born July 27, 1928, in Bankston, son of Herbert F. and Viola Rosa (Klostermann) Kass. He received his education at St. Francis School in Dyersville and St. Clement's School in Bankston.

On Dec. 27, 1950, he was united in marriage to Virginet Stronck at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg. The couple farmed in the rural Bankston area until their retirement in 1998, when they moved to Peosta. She preceded him in death on Feb. 26, 2005.

He was a member of the Farley Knights of Columbus-Council 2001, the Power of Prayer Group in Dubuque and St. John the Baptist Parish in Peosta.

Bernie enjoyed farming, it was an important part of his life. He also enjoyed refinishing woodwork, especially kitchen cabinets, as well as golfing and bowling. Spending time with family and friends was important to Bernie, and he was a very loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Faith was a very important part of Bernie's life, as was praying the rosary daily. He especially loved playing cards with everyone, and now he can finally finish playing the game of cards that he started with Virgie the day that she passed away on him suddenly.

He is survived by eight children, Bob (Sandy) Kass, of Epworth, Janet (John) Demmer, of Farley, David (Jeanie) Kass, of Walcott, Don (Cheryl) Kass, of Farley, Chuck (Lisa) Kass, of Dyersville, Karen (Ed) Bergfeld, of Epworth, Deb (Kevin) Fangmann, of Farley, and Lori (Kenneth) Gansen, of Farley; 27 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Margie Lehmann, of Farley; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Louise Vaske, of Dubuque.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginet Kass, on Feb. 26, 2005; a grandson, Cory Demmer; two brothers in infancy, Edwin and Merlin; two sisters-in-law, Viola Schaul and Ruth Stronck; eight brothers-in-law, Gerald and John Stronck and Paul Donald Stronck in infancy, Clarence Stronck, Joe Vaske, Andy Feldmann, Al Schaul and Clarence Lehmann.

A Bernard J. Kass Memorial Fund has been established in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to Hospice of Dubuque, especially Sherry and Diane, for the care they had provided for Bernie.

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Thursday, November 21, 2013