Bernard "Bernie" John Kaczmarek

Bernard “Bernie” John Kaczmarek, age 82, of Silver Lake, passed away Monday, September 28, 2015 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He was born August 19, 1933 in Glencoe, Minnesota to Louis and Cecelia (Wozniak) Kaczmarek.

On April 18, 1961, Bernard John Kaczmarek and Laura Ann Schermann were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Silver Lake by Father Albert Slechta. The two were blessed with six children.

Bernie was a dairy farmer in Stockholm Township for more than 40 years.  Along with farming he hauled milk cans for Stockholm Creamery.  He later worked at Philip Johnson Cab Company in Cokato while continuing to farm until his retirement and moved to Silver Lake in 1995.

 Bernie served in the Army between 1956 and 1958.

Bernie was a member of many organizations including the Knights of Columbus and was Grand Knight, Degree of Honor, Senior Citizens Club, and Senior Dinning, Grand Marshall of Silver Lake, Supervisor of C &H Elevator, and Church Council Member.

He enjoyed playing cards, tinkering in his shed, going on drives in the country, traveling, Friday morning coffee, dinner with friends, sweets – especially ice cream, polka music, and time spent with his family – family always came first. He was very proud of his Polish heritage and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren words and phrases in Polish.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Cecelia Kaczmarek; son Dean Kaczmarek; sisters, Dolores (Stanley) Chrast and Dorothy (Jerome) Ruzicka; mother-in-law and father-in-law Anna and Frank Schermann.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Kaczmarek of Silver Lake; children, Darrell (Rhonda) Kaczmarek of Silver Lake, Barbara (Robin) Farnes of Hutchinson, Bonnie Kaczmarek of Silver Lake, Brenda (Scott) Tschimperle of Brownton, Betty (Paul) Davis of Silver Lake; grandchildren, Matthew, Christine (Jared), Heather (Brian), Zachary, Nicole (Jordon), Nathan, Tyler, Cody, Kyle, Myles, Mackenzie, Olivia, Maxwell, Jayden, Madison; Great Grandchildren, Bentley Stockman and Dylan Brecht; brothers Donald (Brenda) Kaczmarek of Ohio and Gerald (Marie) Kaczmarek of Hutchinson; and many other relatives and friends.

Friends are called to the Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake on Thursday, October 1, from 4 to 8 PM. Knights of Columbus service will be at 6 PM and parish prayers will be at 7 PM. Visitation continues at the Maresh Funeral Home on Friday starting 9:30 AM until the start of Mass.

Mass of Christian Burial for Bernie Kaczmarek will be held Friday, October 2, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake. Father Paul Schumacher will be the Celebrant for the Mass.

Interment to follow at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Silver Lake.

Honorary casket bearers are Christine Brecht, Heather Stockman, Nicole Hempel, Mackenzie Davis, Kyle Christensen, Olivia Farnes, Maxwell Davis, Jayden Tschimperle, and Madison Tschimperle.

Casket bearers are Matthew Kaczmarek, Tyler Kaczmarek, Nathan Kaczmarek, Zachary Kaczmarek, Cody Christensen, and Myles Davis.

In honor of Grandpa Bernie, each grandson is wearing one of his ties.

Serving the family is the Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake.

In Lieu of acknowledgements, a donation will be made by the family to the American Heart Association.

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