Mass of Christian Burial for Bernard L. “Bernie” Ruppert, age 87, of Madison, NE will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 31, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norfolk. Reverend Gregory Carl will be the celebrant. Interment will be in St. Leonard’s Catholic Cemetery in Madison. Military Honors conducted by the Nebraska Army National Guard Honor Guard, American Legion Post 35 and VFW Post 5763. Visitation will be Thursday 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service. The Vigil Service and Mass will be live streamed on the funeral home’s website. Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.
Bernie died Saturday, December 25, 2021 at the Countryside Home in Madison.
Bernie was born on September 19, 1934 to Matthias and Agnes (Jazwiec) Ruppert on the family farm near Lindsay, Nebraska. He attended rural school and St. Leonard’s School in Madison. He worked on the family farm until entering the U.S. Army in 1957, where he served until 1959. After returning home from the U.S. Army, he worked on the farm with his Dad for many years. He married Patricia Gaul on February 20, 1960 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norfolk. Bernie and Pat lived and farmed for many years near Madison. He also worked 17 years at the Norfolk Livestock Market. He enjoyed dancing, playing cards and word search puzzles. He had a passion for farming and gardening, and shared his produce with family and friends.
Bernie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat, children Susanna (Jeff) Veskrna of Norfolk, Mike (Cathy) Ruppert of Stanton, Doug (Cheri) Ruppert of Iowa, Kathy (Paul) Brakhage of Lincoln, Carolyn (Clarence) Lucas of Texas, Bernie Ruppert (Becky Jones) of Wisner, son-in-law Jim Livingston of Norfolk, stepsons Dale Pash of Iowa, and Chris (Celeste) Laird of Lincoln, 16 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, sisters Delores (Dennis) Hoffman, Darlene Flesner, Theresa Herchenbach, brothers Matt (Diana) Ruppert and Jim (Laura) Ruppert, and sisters-in-law Cindy Kay Ruppert and Elaine Ruppert.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Deb Livingston, grandchildren Sarah Veskrna, Wade Veskrna, and Austin Ruppert, and brothers Leroy Ruppert and Frank Ruppert.
Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Bernard L. "Bernie" Ruppert, please visit our floral store.