Bernadelle (née Polivka) Toser, 90

Bernadelle (Polivka) Toser passed away peacefully in her sleep in St. Louis, MO on August 27, 2022, at the age of 90.

Bernie, as she was known to her friends, was born in the Town of Lincoln, Adams County, WI in 1932 to Carl and Violet (Hoskins) Polivka. She graduated from Adams Friendship High School in 1950. In 1954, she received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the Central State Teacher’s College in Stevens Point. In 1979, she received a master’s degree in home economics from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. As an undergraduate, she met her future husband, Richard Toser, and they were married in 1956, remaining so until his passing in 1995. They eventually settled in the Stevens Point area, where they raised their four children.

Bernie taught at Edgar High School and worked at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. She then went on to work for the Cooperative Education School Association #7 as a curriculum specialist. She later joined her husband at his advertising and public relations firm, Business Management Services, as head writer, editor, and vice president, and continued working at the business with her son, Jay, after Richard’s passing. In 1993, Bernie began working for Sentry Insurance, from which she retired after approximately 10 years.

Bernie is remembered for her amazing ability to balance her time between her work life and her children’s needs. She is also remembered for her unique sense of humor and the love she had for her husband, children, and grandchildren. Bernie was active in the Stevens Point Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and at one point, was the state historian. She was also a member of the Holy Spirit Parish of Stevens Point and a member and former officer of the St. Methodius Church and Cemetery Association.

In her spare time, Bernie enjoyed all types of needlework and quilting, and with Richard, playing bridge, bowling, and curling before it became an Olympic sport. She also had a passion for genealogy and on occasion would locate a long-lost veteran’s grave that had no grave marker. For many months, she then doggedly pursued several federal agencies to impress upon them their obligation to mark the grave of the veteran. This was something she always felt was a tragedy that needed correction.

Bernie is survived by her son Jay (Cynthia) Toser, Fitchburg, Wis.; son Alan (Terry Noe-Toser) Toser, Ariz.; daughter Lenore (Ed Aldaz) and grandchildren Kyle and Amanda Toser-Aldaz, St. Louis, MO; son-in-law Robert Kohn, Wis.; sister-in-law Faye Polivka, Milwaukee; five step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members.

In addition to her parents, her inlaws Herman and Ilma Toser, and her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter Jenifer Kohn; her sister Lois and brother-in-law Joseph Warren; her brother Stuart Polivka; her brother Theron and sister-in-law Beverly Polivka; and her sister-in-law Carla and brother-in-law Cliff Boettcher, among others.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Methodius Church and Cemetery Association, 407 Hillwood Lane, Friendship, Wis. 53934.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernadelle will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2022, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2151 Stanley St., Stevens Point. Rev. Steve Brice will officiate.

There will be no visitation at the church. Friends and family may gather to share memories after the Mass on Friday from 5:30-7 pm. at Shuda Funeral Chapel, 3200 Stanley St. in Stevens Point. Burial will be held at St. Methodius Cemetery in Friendship at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2022.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com.