Bernadette “Bernie” Kluemke, nee Varel, 66 of Bartelso, died Friday, July 29, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. 

Mrs. Kluemke was born April 2, 1945 in Breese to William and Margaret (Hemker) Varel; they preceded her in death. 

Also preceded in death by twin daughters, Mary and Anna Kluemke; brothers, Jerome and Jim Varel; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Florence (Diekemper) Kluemke; a brother-in-law, Frank Goebel; and a sister-in-law, Mary Kluemke. 

She married Gerhard Kluemke on October 6, 1964 at St. Cecilia Church; he survives in Bartelso. 

Also surviving are her children, Karen (Linus) Ripperda, Brian (Samantha) Kluemke, Brenda (Tim) Jansen, Craig (Tanya) Kluemke, and Danny (Shelly) Kluemke all of Bartelso; 11 grandchildren, Corey (Jennifer) Ripperda, Chelsea Ripperda, Dylan, Logan, and Gavan Kluemke, Mackenna and Jenna Jansen, Sierra and Alex Kluemke, and Cody and Kailey Kluemke; brothers, Pete (Joan) Varel and Billy (Joann) Varel all of Bartelso; sisters, Sally (Bernie) Gerdes of Bartelso, Margie (Jim) Wilken of Bartelso, Blanche Goebel of New Baden, and Flossie (Frank) Schlautmann of Bartelso; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dolores “Toots” Varel and Betty Varel all of Bartelso, Joan (Stan) Wilke of Highland, Mat Kluemke and Dennis (Mary Lou) Kluemke all of Carlyle; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Bernadette retired as a seamstress from B & M Boat Seat Manufacturing in Carlyle.  She was an avid bowler serving as the team Captain of Snick’s Tavern Bowling team; she also enjoyed quilting, gambling, and Euchre where she was also a member of Margie’s Friday night card club.  Her greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren, and she was anxiously awaiting the birth of her first great-grandchild. 

She was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and Ladies Sodality in Bartelso. 

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 2:00 PM at St. Cecilia Church in Bartelso with Fr. Henry Fischer officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Cecilia Cemetery, Bartelso. 

Visitation will be Monday, August 1, 2011 from 4:00-9:00 PM and again on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown. 

Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home.