BERNICE RUDOLPH

There is a new soprano joining the heavenly choir, her name is Bernice Mae Wildenberg Rudolph. Her audition is completed. Rehearsals all behind her. Glorify His name, as we praise Him on earth until we meet again. Born in Stanley, 1935, to Mathilda (Kastel) and Lester (Vanden) Wildenberg, third oldest of six. Raised in farm settings there and small-town Thorp until moving to Appleton as a junior in high school. Bernice met and married Leonard Rudolph in 1954 and they received eight children who were loved and shown what family is all about!

Faith in our Creator was exemplified daily, and family values were nurtured. Thank you, Mom, for these gifts. You were not a preacher; you were a doer. A member of St. Edward's-Mackville for over 60 years, Bernice served as parish secretary, lecturer, cantor, communion distributor, choir member, and led the rosary. Short of driving tractor at the yearly tractor pulls, she enjoyed serving almost all aspects of her parish, including Parish Council, School Board and the Christian Mothers. Faith also took her on a trip to Rome in later years. She found time with her large family to lead a 4-H club called the Busy Macks and cofounded the Grand Chute girls' softball league.

Homemakers club and the Home/School could count on Bernice to take leadership roles, too. It took a while to empty the nest, soon followed by “Bee” and Len "nesting" in Florida for several winters near her daughter's family. She was also delighted to visit Holland, to satisfy ancestral curiosities. Bernice worked at Mike's Town and Country Bakery, was active in the local Moose Club, crocheted, bowled, fished, and loved crossword puzzles.

Bernice Rudolph is survived by her children: Patrick (Terry) Rudolph of Oshkosh; Jean (Greg) Reed; Sue (Vince) Leeman of Cape Coral, FL; Kathy (Dan) Reiland; Nancy Rudolph; Dennis (Tess) Rudolph of Neenah; Peter Rudolph (Clarice Kraft); and Mary (David) Greely. Her grandchildren include: Jim Rudolph; David Rudolph; Eric Rudolph; Jessica (Josh) Phillips; Erin (Doug) Cooper, Ryan Reed, Kelsey Reed (Jay Allen); Michael (Jessica) Leeman; Andrew (Sara) Leeman; Tiffany Reiland; Brent (Shea) Reiland; Darren (Amber) Reiland; Cory (Gretchen) Reiland; Nicole (Jeff) Teigen; Luke Rudolph; Jacob Shoberg; Alicia Shoberg; Kari (Clint) Guyette; Peter Rudolph, Jr (Heather Knox); Katrina Rudolph; Krystal (Jasmine) Johnson; Robyn (Steven) Wachuta; Sarah Greely and Katelyn Greely. She is also survived by one brother, one sister and four brother/sisters-in-law; Norman (Lucille) Wildenberg of Little Chute; Rozella Buss of Winchester, Paul Raygor of Neenah, Carol Felton, Betty Rudolph of Spokane, WA and Frances Rudolph of Columbus. Bernice also leaves behind twenty-seven great grandchildren and too many nieces and nephews to count.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, her parents and parent in-laws; three sisters and many in-laws, Bernadine Wildenberg; Leonore Wildenberg and Eleanor Raygor; Clarence Buss; Ken Felton; Anita (Harry) Look; Don (Lil) Rudolph; Ken Rudolph; Bernice (Ray) Derrah; Les Rudolph; Wilbur Rudolph; and John Rudolph.

All are welcome to Bernice's Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am on Friday, January 29, 2021 at ST EDWARDS PARISH in Mackville (N2926 State Hwy 47, Appleton) with Bernice's nephew, Fr. Dan Felton officiating. At St Edwards', COVID-19 prevention safety standards are enforced, and masks are required. Family and friends will be received at St Edwards Church prior to the Funeral Mass from 9:30 until just before the Mass. The Mass will be live streamed on St Edwards' social media page. To access that, please follow the link from their webpage - https://www.stedwardmackville.org/.

Brookdale, Appleton has been home to Bernice since 2015; our family cannot thank them enough for helping us all through this journey. Hugs to Linda and Rachel from Bernice... Caregiving is a step to sainthood. The Rudolph family expresses thanks to the staff of Heartland Hospice, especially Nicki. The special attention Bernice received from you at the end of her life allowed her to leave this world in peace and with dignity. We would also like to thank the numerous doctors who have helped Bernice throughout the years, especially, Drs. Robert Fox and Stephen Dernlan and the many doctors at Heart and Vascular Institute of Appleton.