1930
Norbert
2024
Norbert Bernauer
April 26, 1930 — September 22, 2024
Norbert Paul Bernauer died peacefully in the company of family on September 22, 2024, from natural causes. Born on April 26, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, Norbert was the son of an immigrant and a child of the Depression. He learned the value of hard work and grew up the youngest of three, with sister Rosemary and brother Edward, in a family that valued faith, music, and sports.
He attended Catholic schools, earning a music scholarship to St. Phillips High School for his flute. Norbert, known by many as “Bro,” enjoyed all sports and was an excellent athlete, especially in track and baseball. He was a sprinter, winning tons of medals in meets across Chicago. He played on a semi-professional softball team and served as an umpire after his playing days. As a teen, he caddied, sometimes for well-known professional players. Bro continued to enjoy golf throughout his adult years.
After high school, Norbert started training as a linotype operator with American Banknote Company. Work was interrupted when he was drafted into the Korean War. He served in an Army Port Construction Unit in Korean conflict zones for two years, earning six service medals and bars, including four bronze stars. He was honorably discharged as Corporal. He was very proud of his service, participating in and supporting VFW activities, often sporting his Korean War Veteran cap, and riding in the Korean War Veterans float in the Chicago Memorial Day Parade.
Norbert worked for American Banknote from April of 1948 to January of 1993. He was active in the Chicago Typographical Union, elected to serve as shop steward and Secretary Treasurer for many years. After retirement he was elected Vice President, work he continued into his 80s. He was a strong believer in the value of unions and participated in many contract negotiations.
Bro loved to read and passed that on to his children. He used to pull out his big book of Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales and we’d all cuddle up close as he brought one of the tales to life. For his own reading, he favored a good spy thriller or history. He also loved music – especially classical, opera, and Frank Sinatra or other big band singers. Frank was always on Sirius and Bro could identify just about any opera or classical classic after hearing just a few bars. He made sure his kid’s first albums were Peter and The Wolf and The Nutcracker.
Bro most of all loved being around people and he was a wealthy man when it came to friends. He had a big group of childhood friends, many of which stayed connected for life. They could get a little mischievous at times but all in good fun. He continued to gather friends throughout his life, from his Chicago and Round Lake neighborhoods, from work, church, the VFW, and his winter spot of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, He was most definitely an extrovert and people enjoyed being around him. Whether it was a family holiday party, a neighborhood potluck, a cruise with friends, a drink at the bar with a buddy, or a post-mass breakfast at his favorite restaurant with his girl, you’d surely find Bro talking, laughing, and interested in you and your life.
Bro enjoyed traveling. In early family days, it was loading up the babies and toddlers for a week at a Wisconsin lake cottage. Then it was road trips as the whole family piled into the station wagon to visit Colorado, Florida, the Smoky Mountains, Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls, and more. He and his wife Juanita made many trips, with favorites being Aruba, Hawaii, and a cruise down the Panama Canal. With his partner June, he ventured over to Europe, with Paris and Budapest two of his most-liked spots.
Bro wasn’t afraid of hard work. He would get up very early and make the hour commute to his job on the south side of Chicago from his northwest side home. In order to provide for his family, he always had a second part-time job. No surprise, given his gregarious nature, he took bartending gigs in neighborhood taverns or The Touch of Italy downtown. When repairs were needed around the house, he would do the work himself, taking apart washers, refrigerators, and even a boiler.
Being a sports enthusiast, Bro followed some professional and college sports teams. His favorite college team was Notre Dame, and he would cheer on the colleges where his children attended. On the professional side, he suffered through the Bears but his real love was the Chicago White Sox. He followed every game, every season, and often attended games. Somehow his wife Juanita and his partner June were Cubs fans. The Sox winning the World Series Championship in 2005 was a highlight for Bro and he loved Frank Thomas who played a key role.
Another activity Bro enjoyed was games of chance – but only if it involved people, of course. He organized football pools, called bingo games, played poker with buddies, played bunco with family, and enjoyed the slots with June.
Bro had two loves in his life. The first was Juanita Schommer Bernauer, who he fell in love with at first sight when he was 16 and she was 14. He was patient as they dated, it broke off, and she was even engaged to another guy. In the end, Bro got the girl and they were married on a chilly day in January of 1954. They were together until Juanita’s death in November of 1996. Juanita and Bro built a good life and were loving and supportive parents to their children. They had an active social life and found time to enjoy each other’s company despite the demands of work and family life.
In his 70s, Bro fell in love with June Feiereisel who had lost her husband Ron. All four of them had been childhood friends and June was one of Juanita’s bridesmaids and godmother to Bro’s daughter Maribeth. The new couple thoroughly enjoyed this second chance in life – traveling, spending winters in Florida, attending family events, and visiting with new and old friends. Bro was a bit of romantic – he liked to give flowers, jewelry, and he loved Hallmark movies! Every weekend, June and Bro would watch a new - as he called it - “chick flick.”
Grandchildren and great grandchildren were precious to Bro. He loved a visit and always asked about their latest activities and accomplishments. He enjoyed taking them out on his boat, leading their singing of the famous Christmas song, and watching a ball game or dance recital.
There was one more love in Bro’s life – his love for God. He was a faith-filled and faithful Catholic. He raised his own children in the Catholic faith, participated in Knights of Columbus, and attended Mass every week. He really listened to the readings and sermon and tried to be a good Christian. He didn’t raise his voice in anger, he supported his family and friends in difficult times, and he donated to missions and causes that helped the most vulnerable.
Just like most people, Bro endured some losses - his own father when he was only 26, his wife too early, and the premature deaths of all three son-in-laws, Norbert was grateful that he was given 94 years of a full, healthy, wonderful life. As he often said, “My guardian angels are looking after me.” We know that our loving Bro will now be the guardian angel looking after all of us.
Norbert Paul Bernauer is survived by his children Linda (Kuster), Maribeth (Hill), and Michael, daughter-in-law Leona (Bernauer); partner June Feiereisel; eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and godchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Margaret Bernauer; wife Juanita Schommer Bernauer; daughter, Sharon (Bryers); brother Edward and sister Rosemary (Adams); and son-in-laws Doren Kuster, Michael Hill, and William Bryers.
Donations can be made in his name to La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Norbert’s son Michael was a patient there for nine months when he contracted rheumatic fever at the age of 4. Norbert was very grateful for the care they provided Mike and faithfully donated to the hospital every year after that.
Visitation will be held Sunday, September 29, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W Lawrence Ave, Norridge. Funeral services will begin on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, then proceed to St. Eugene Catholic Church, Chicago, for Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon. Interment will be private at Maryhill Cemetery. Info: 708-456-8300
He attended Catholic schools, earning a music scholarship to St. Phillips High School for his flute. Norbert, known by many as “Bro,” enjoyed all sports and was an excellent athlete, especially in track and baseball. He was a sprinter, winning tons of medals in meets across Chicago. He played on a semi-professional softball team and served as an umpire after his playing days. As a teen, he caddied, sometimes for well-known professional players. Bro continued to enjoy golf throughout his adult years.
After high school, Norbert started training as a linotype operator with American Banknote Company. Work was interrupted when he was drafted into the Korean War. He served in an Army Port Construction Unit in Korean conflict zones for two years, earning six service medals and bars, including four bronze stars. He was honorably discharged as Corporal. He was very proud of his service, participating in and supporting VFW activities, often sporting his Korean War Veteran cap, and riding in the Korean War Veterans float in the Chicago Memorial Day Parade.
Norbert worked for American Banknote from April of 1948 to January of 1993. He was active in the Chicago Typographical Union, elected to serve as shop steward and Secretary Treasurer for many years. After retirement he was elected Vice President, work he continued into his 80s. He was a strong believer in the value of unions and participated in many contract negotiations.
Bro loved to read and passed that on to his children. He used to pull out his big book of Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales and we’d all cuddle up close as he brought one of the tales to life. For his own reading, he favored a good spy thriller or history. He also loved music – especially classical, opera, and Frank Sinatra or other big band singers. Frank was always on Sirius and Bro could identify just about any opera or classical classic after hearing just a few bars. He made sure his kid’s first albums were Peter and The Wolf and The Nutcracker.
Bro most of all loved being around people and he was a wealthy man when it came to friends. He had a big group of childhood friends, many of which stayed connected for life. They could get a little mischievous at times but all in good fun. He continued to gather friends throughout his life, from his Chicago and Round Lake neighborhoods, from work, church, the VFW, and his winter spot of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, He was most definitely an extrovert and people enjoyed being around him. Whether it was a family holiday party, a neighborhood potluck, a cruise with friends, a drink at the bar with a buddy, or a post-mass breakfast at his favorite restaurant with his girl, you’d surely find Bro talking, laughing, and interested in you and your life.
Bro enjoyed traveling. In early family days, it was loading up the babies and toddlers for a week at a Wisconsin lake cottage. Then it was road trips as the whole family piled into the station wagon to visit Colorado, Florida, the Smoky Mountains, Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls, and more. He and his wife Juanita made many trips, with favorites being Aruba, Hawaii, and a cruise down the Panama Canal. With his partner June, he ventured over to Europe, with Paris and Budapest two of his most-liked spots.
Bro wasn’t afraid of hard work. He would get up very early and make the hour commute to his job on the south side of Chicago from his northwest side home. In order to provide for his family, he always had a second part-time job. No surprise, given his gregarious nature, he took bartending gigs in neighborhood taverns or The Touch of Italy downtown. When repairs were needed around the house, he would do the work himself, taking apart washers, refrigerators, and even a boiler.
Being a sports enthusiast, Bro followed some professional and college sports teams. His favorite college team was Notre Dame, and he would cheer on the colleges where his children attended. On the professional side, he suffered through the Bears but his real love was the Chicago White Sox. He followed every game, every season, and often attended games. Somehow his wife Juanita and his partner June were Cubs fans. The Sox winning the World Series Championship in 2005 was a highlight for Bro and he loved Frank Thomas who played a key role.
Another activity Bro enjoyed was games of chance – but only if it involved people, of course. He organized football pools, called bingo games, played poker with buddies, played bunco with family, and enjoyed the slots with June.
Bro had two loves in his life. The first was Juanita Schommer Bernauer, who he fell in love with at first sight when he was 16 and she was 14. He was patient as they dated, it broke off, and she was even engaged to another guy. In the end, Bro got the girl and they were married on a chilly day in January of 1954. They were together until Juanita’s death in November of 1996. Juanita and Bro built a good life and were loving and supportive parents to their children. They had an active social life and found time to enjoy each other’s company despite the demands of work and family life.
In his 70s, Bro fell in love with June Feiereisel who had lost her husband Ron. All four of them had been childhood friends and June was one of Juanita’s bridesmaids and godmother to Bro’s daughter Maribeth. The new couple thoroughly enjoyed this second chance in life – traveling, spending winters in Florida, attending family events, and visiting with new and old friends. Bro was a bit of romantic – he liked to give flowers, jewelry, and he loved Hallmark movies! Every weekend, June and Bro would watch a new - as he called it - “chick flick.”
Grandchildren and great grandchildren were precious to Bro. He loved a visit and always asked about their latest activities and accomplishments. He enjoyed taking them out on his boat, leading their singing of the famous Christmas song, and watching a ball game or dance recital.
There was one more love in Bro’s life – his love for God. He was a faith-filled and faithful Catholic. He raised his own children in the Catholic faith, participated in Knights of Columbus, and attended Mass every week. He really listened to the readings and sermon and tried to be a good Christian. He didn’t raise his voice in anger, he supported his family and friends in difficult times, and he donated to missions and causes that helped the most vulnerable.
Just like most people, Bro endured some losses - his own father when he was only 26, his wife too early, and the premature deaths of all three son-in-laws, Norbert was grateful that he was given 94 years of a full, healthy, wonderful life. As he often said, “My guardian angels are looking after me.” We know that our loving Bro will now be the guardian angel looking after all of us.
Norbert Paul Bernauer is survived by his children Linda (Kuster), Maribeth (Hill), and Michael, daughter-in-law Leona (Bernauer); partner June Feiereisel; eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and godchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Margaret Bernauer; wife Juanita Schommer Bernauer; daughter, Sharon (Bryers); brother Edward and sister Rosemary (Adams); and son-in-laws Doren Kuster, Michael Hill, and William Bryers.
Donations can be made in his name to La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Norbert’s son Michael was a patient there for nine months when he contracted rheumatic fever at the age of 4. Norbert was very grateful for the care they provided Mike and faithfully donated to the hospital every year after that.
Visitation will be held Sunday, September 29, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W Lawrence Ave, Norridge. Funeral services will begin on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, then proceed to St. Eugene Catholic Church, Chicago, for Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon. Interment will be private at Maryhill Cemetery. Info: 708-456-8300
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norbert Bernauer, please visit our flower store.
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