Bernice Ann Kugel

Bernice (Casper) Kugel, 99, Green Bay, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2015, at a local nursing home. She was born February 14, 1916 to Mike and Catherine Casper in rural Lena, Wisconsin. She was the 7th of twelve children. She has resided at Badger Terrace in Green Bay for the past 22 years. During World War II, Bernice moved to Milwaukee and worked assembling airplane parts for warplanes. In 1946 she and her sister-in-law Evelyn Casper purchased a small restaurant in Lena called the Tiny Eat Shop on Main Street. She met George Kugel at a dance in 1933 when she was just 17, and knew that “this is the man I want to marry.” She happily married George Kugel in 1946. In 1952 Bernice and George built a building with two businesses and a residence, Kugel’s Cheese Mart and Kugel’s Bottled Gas and Appliance. George passed away in 1973 and after 22 years in business, Bernice sold the store to her son Jim and moved to Green Bay. She continued to work in the store part-time for an additional 20 years and assisted with preparing Christmas boxes until she was 98 years of age.

At 80 years of age, Bernice was still ambitious and healthy and accepted an offer to work at Encompass Early Education and Child Care in Green Bay, working with cuddly children. She as very proud to have won the prestigious WPS Volunteer in Education Award in 2010. She retired from Encompass at age 94. She had a deep faith and love for her church. Bernice enjoyed her family, traveling, dancing, golf, and in her golden years she loved to play cards. She had a wonderful zest for life and lived it to the fullest. Bernice also had a wonderful sense of humor, and always tried to look her best.

Bernice is survived by four children, James (Judy) Gallagher, Salt Lake City, UT, Jim (Kris) Kugel, Lena, Joan (Bob) Collins, Stevens Point, and Frank (Debbie) Kugel, Gunnison, CO; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marcella Meyer, Pound, Wis.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and numerous siblings.

Visitation at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 209 E. Main St., Lena, Friday, October 23, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral. Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial at St. Charles Cemetery in Lena following the Mass.