She was born and raised in the Pontiac, Mich. area. She attended public schools throughout her childhood, and graduated from Lake Forest College and the University of Wisconsin with a master’s degree in library science.

Bernadette met her husband, Arthur N. Minster, during her studies at UW-Madison, and the couple married on Aug. 24, 1922 at Lake Forest First Presbyterian Church, after she finished college.

They resided in Sheboygan and later moved to Wauwatosa, where they raised a family of their own.

Bernadette began working at the Waukegan Public Library once her children were raised, and honorably retired from there in 1985.

After retirement, she dedicated time and talent learning how to golf. She loved reading, laughing at good jokes, playing the violin and organ, and all her life she loved to sing.

Among her favorite passions, she also loved animals, especially, horses, dogs and cats, and crafts, like knitting for her children and charity, which won her awards at the county fair.

In October of 2004, the Minster family was able to take one last vacation with Bernadette to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.

Survivors include her loving husband and best friend of 56 years, Arthur; her children, Mary (Lee) Ihlenfeldt of Madison, Janet (Steve) Riehbrandt of Beaver Dam, Andrew (Kathy) Minster of Jackson, Phil (Laura) Minster of Kentwood, Ill. and Patricia (Tom) Hutchinson of Gurnee, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Helen (Robert) Ehrlich of Sheboygan; and her grandchildren, Mark and Douglas Ihlenfeldt, Russell and Amanda Riehbrandt, Rebecca, Andrew James, and Michael Minster and Carly and Danielle Minster.

She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Preceding her in death were an infant daughter, Judith, and her parents.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 17, at noon at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel of West Bend.

Rev. Jean Bartlett will officiate, and entombment will take place at Wisconsin Memorial Park.

Visitation with the Minster family will be held on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be contributed to Cedar Ridge Community.

She would not have chosen to have left us and we did not want to let her go; but we find peace in knowing she is free of pain and illness. She shines in the life everlasting.