Obituary for Bernadine Rita Witgen

Bernadine Rita Witgen, age 88, of Portland, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019. She was born on August 26, 1930 in Westphalia, the daughter of William J. and Verina (Kloeckner) Thoma. Bernadine was a life-long member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland. Her family was her first priority – she loved to care for them and always offered love and support. She loved to go for her daily walks, enjoyed doing crossword puzzles reading and playing cards.

Surviving Bernadine are her children, Larry (Noreen) Fandel, Sheri Fandel, Robert (Roxanne) Fandel, and James Fandel; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Dolores Pline and William Thoma; and in-laws, Ernestine Fox and Marilyn Fandel. Bernadine is preceded in death by her first husband, Edgar “Bud” Fandel; her second husband, Jerome Witgen; grandson, Christopher Fandel; brothers-in-law, Denis Fandel, Alvin Fox, Bernard Bengel and Wayne Pline; sisters-in-law, Virginia Thoma and Genevieve Bengel.

A special thank you to Kelly Grys and the staff at Country Living for their excellent care and compassion shown in the care provided to our mother.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Mike Alber at 12:00 p.m., Friday, February 8, 2019 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Portland. Rite of Committal will follow at Portland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Lehman Funeral Homes, 210 E. Bridge Street, Portland. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.