Memorial
Bernadine Elizabeth Vandewalle, 97, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, January 14, 2019 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 10:00 am Friday, January 18, 2019 at All Saints Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to service. Burial: St. John’s Cemetery.
Bernadine was born October 2, 1921, the daughter of William and Louise (Redig) Heitgen, in Salem, South Dakota. Upon graduating from St. Mary’s High School in Salem, South Dakota, she began her training as a nurse in Mitchell, South Dakota. Bernadine then went on to serve in WWII as an Army Corp Nurse. After the war ended, she married Joseph L. Vandewalle on May 29, 1950 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Salem, South Dakota. She and Joseph then adopted their two children, Patrick and Mary.
Bernadine continued her work as a nurse for Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids for over thirty years. She was an active member at All Saints Catholic Church, where she was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters. She was also a member of the Young At Heart Group, the Martha’s, and was an excellent care giver to her husband, Joseph.
Survivors include her daughter, Mary(Tom) Tharp; six grandchildren, Nichole (Thad) Bussey, Shannon (Patrick) Dahmen, Sean (Maria) Vandewalle, Derek (Bridget) Tharp, Amanda Tharp, Madison Tharp; six great grandchildren, Tristen, Peyton, Morgan, Caleb, Liam, Amelia; and sister, Sr. Carol Anne Heitgen, of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters of Reading, Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; son, Patrick; parents; brother, Harold Heitgen; sister, Virginia Heitgen; sister-in-law, Monica Heitgen.
Memorials may be directed to All Saints Catholic Church in memory of Bernadine.