REHBEIN, Bernie (1954-2023)

REHBEIN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/29/2023 at 11:54:01

Bernie Rehbein
(July 17, 1954 - February 11, 2023)

Bernadette “Bernie” Rehbein, 68, passed surround by her family, Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral Mass will be held 7 p.m., Monday, February 20, 2023 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Visitation will be held 4 to 7 p.m., prior to service at the church where family will be present to greet friends. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Norwalk Cemetery.
Bernie was born in Fairbury Nebraska, she lived in a very small house with her five other siblings and parents. Bernie and her siblings went to St. Michaels for grade school. Growing up she always found joy in spending time with her Grandma Marie. Her Grandma would send her off to go shopping and pick up spools of thread at a young age and this would allow Bernie to get some candy and be independent. In the summer of 1965 Bernie and her family moved to Iowa where father continued to work for the Rock Island railroad company. She graduated from Norwalk Senior High school in 1972. She then went on to start her first job working full time at Bankers Life (The Principle). In 1973 she met the love of her life John Rehbein, on their first date John told her that he would marry her and she laughed. The following year on May 11, 1974 they got married and soon welcomed their first child Matthew (Matt) Rehbein in November of 1976. She stayed home and cared for Matt until 1985. For a short period of time she worked at Fannie Farmer with her sister Connie who managed a store there. Bernie and Connie were very close; they were less than a year apart and they did everything together; you would rarely ever find one without the other. Bernie and John then welcomed Daniel Rehbein in December of 1987 when she then continued on to be a stay at home mother until 1992. She went to work at Indianola schools where she was a health associate, and teachers associate. She loved working for the school, this is where she had met some life long friends and she created Emerson angels fundraising for breast cancer awareness which she had previously battled. She retired from the school in 2012. When she retired she took this as an opportunity to spend more time with her grandchildren Cole and Hanna Rehbein, she found new hobbies like sewing, crocheting, and more. She treasured her time with her grandchildren, she liked to travel, bake, and so much more with them. The time that she spent with family and friends will forever be treasured.
Bernie is survived by her husband, John; children, Matt (Anie) Rehbein, Dan Rehbein; grandchildren, Cole and Hanna Rehbein; siblings, Steve (Janet) Mees, Rick (Michelle) Mees; and many nieces, nephews and other family and friends. She is preceded her parents, Gene and Shirley Mees; siblings, Connie Smith, Bob Mees, Cathy Vroman.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family in her name. [This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]