Bernadette "Bernie" Mary (Shimanski) Pokornowski

Bernadette Mary Wavinak Pokornowski went to dance in heaven on July 13, 2023.  She passed away at her home in Cokato surrounded by family. 

Bernadette was born on June 13, 1931 in Minneapolis to Anthony and Mary Shimanski. 

Bernadette was united in marriage to Doug Wavinak on December 26, 1949.  They had 43 wonderful years.  They were blessed with 4 children.  Sadly, in January 1993 Doug passed away.

In 1995 Bernadette married Francis Pokornowski and they enjoyed 26 years together.   Francis passed away on July 7, 2022.

Bernadette was so blessed to have 2 wonderful husbands in her life.  Bernadette was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother. 

Bernadette was a beautiful woman inside and out.  Everyone loved her!  If you asked her how she is her reply always was “Mean as ever!”  When she was asked her name, she would say Bratty Bernie!

She loved her job as a cashier at Jerry’s Super Value in Brookdale, MN for 30+ years.  She would come home and say ”it was cart to cart.”

Survived by her children: Linda (John) Coyle, Wanda (Craig) Solarz, Brenda (Robert Horvath) Montgomery, Doug Wavinak; stepchildren: Larry (Margaret) Pokornowski, Susanne (Jerry) Ulrich, Marianne (Dennis) Bobrowske, Jo Ann (Tom) Gayner, Alan (Polly Aitken) Pokornowski, LuAnn (Royal) Ross; other relatives and friends.

Preceding Bernadette in death were her husband, Doug, husband Francis, her parents, and many other beloved family members.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 from 4-8 PM at Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake.  Further visitation will take place on Thursday 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, July 20 at 1:00 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake.

Interment will take place on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis.

We would like to thank all our relatives and friends of our dear departed mother, Bernadette for your thoughts and prayers.  We acknowledge with sincere thanks the kind expression of your sympathies. No thank you cards will be sent.

~With love, the family of Bernadette Mary Wavinak Pokornowski

Maresh Funeral Home, Silver Lake, MN assisted the family with funeral arrangements.