REICHARDT Bernadette M. Reichardt age 74 of Grand Rapids went home to be with her Lord on November 19 2010. She joins Bob her loving husband of 50 years who preceded her by 11 months and her daughter Laurie Reul who preceded her 8 years ago. She is survived by her stepsister Doris Poehls; sons John Reichardt (Janene Weis), Greg (Jill) Reichardt; and son-in-law Chad Reul. She was Bubba to her four grandchildren Ian and Lucas Reul and Ellie and Anna Reichardt. Also surviving is her closest friend and cousin Rita Roselle; and family friend who is like a daughter Jane Smith and her children Hunter and Jacob. She loved her extended family so very much. Bernadette was born in Chicago IL grew up in Whitewater WI and moved back to Chicago where she fell in love with Bob. They lived in the Chicago area for 9 years before moving to Grand Rapids where she has been for 42 years. In that time she never acquired a love for Michigan winters. After she raised her family there were two things in her heart that kept her here. The first was Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and School. There she lived her spiritual life celebrating Mass and where her children and grandchildren attend. The second was all her relationships with her friends. We could only wish for the strong friendships she had with Barb Kathy Laverne Lois Mary Lu Pat and so many others. Some of those friendships were fairly new with mothers of her grandchildrens classmates at IHM School other older friendships started when she moved to a new city and parish years ago or friendships that were renewed annually at the Whitewater High School class reunions. Bernadette a breast cancer survivor of 40 years had a long battle in recent years with esophageal cancer and fought valiantly until the end. In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to the Killgoar Foundation c/o Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 1935 Plymouth Rd SE Grand Rapids MI 49506. The family will greet friends evening November 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. at OBrien Gerst Funeral Home 3980 Cascade Road and from 9:30 to November 23rd at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church the morning of the funeral. The Funeral Mass will be held at November 23rd at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
