Bernadette L. Honish, 67, of Tacoma, Washington, and formerly of Tomah, passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital. She was born on July 11, 1957, to Sylvester and Catherine (Schmieder) Honish in Tomah, Wisconsin. She was confirmed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and remained a faithful and devoted Catholic throughout her life. During her confirmation, Bernie caught the eye of the Bishop for her quickness and precision of answering questions, which earned her a picture with the Bishop.
She was a member of the Tomah High School’s graduating class of 1975. Her family remembers fondly when Bernie was voted Homecoming Queen. Shortly after graduation, in September of 1975, Bernie enlisted into the United States Navy and proudly served her county. On September 9, 1979, she was honorably discharged and began her civilian career with the United State Government Department of the Army as a contracting officer. Bernie started her contracting career at Fort McCoy where she continued to develop her skills and made many friends. In addition to her contracting work, Bernie fostered many children in the Monroe/Lacrosse County area - she never turned a child in need away, and no child ever left not feeling loved unconditionally. In 2006 she transferred to Germany where she spent 7 years with her girls; many friends and family came to visit and were shown true hospitality! Bernie returned to the US and retired in 2015 in San Diego.
Bernie had a great love for spending time outdoors, especially when it included family and friends. She hosted many pool and sledding parties, and she also enjoyed nature walks, skiing, goat yoga, and finding new experiences. She had the gentlest heart for animals and enjoyed dog walking and dog sitting. She was a social butterfly wherever she would go and made friends that soon became like family. Her Tacoma friends definitely were her family away from home, and these friendships will be forever cherished.
If you asked Bernadette, she would tell you that her single purpose in life was to serve the One who has made all things possible and her goal in life was to be a good servant and servant leader. Her faith remained steadfast through life’s ups and downs. Her duty to country led her to people and places around the globe and her unwavering love for her children, grandchildren and siblings has been an example of a life well lived.
Bernadette is survived by her daughters, Cassidy Gillis of Grovetown, GA and Brittany Honish of Black River Falls, 2 grandchildren, Christopher and Elijah, siblings, John (Pat) Honish of Oconto, Ann (Jerry) Nelson of Monona Grove, Steve (Leanne) Honish of Tomah, Chris (Dave) Riley of Red Wing, MN, Cindy (Randy) Berg of Tomah, Sue Kenworthy of Tomah, Richard (Kelly) Honish of Tomah, Amy (Dave) Gran of New Lisbon, a sister-in-law, Mary Honish of Sun Prairie, countless nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends throughout the country and world.
Bernadette is preceded in death by her parents, Sylvester and Cathrine, a brother Harold and a brother-in-law, Mark Kenworthy.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 11:00 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (Indian Creek), 18316 County Hwy N, rural Oakdale. Father Raj Mariasamy will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in the church cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 202 E Juneau St, Tomah.
Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
A Parish Rosary will be held on Tuesday, April 22,2025 3:30 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Bernadette requests that memorials be given to Wisconsin Right to Life – www.wisconsinrighttolife.org
Sonnenburg Family Funeral
