Bernadette "Bernie" Bernhardt

d. April 19, 2026

Overland Park

Bernadette "Bernie" Bernhardt, 92, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2026 surrounded by family.

Born in Kansas City, MO, Bernie was the "surprise" child to her mother Rose and father Augie. She was the handy apprentice to her father's maintenance projects around the house. As a child born during The Great Depression she learned firsthand how to reduce, recycle and reuse.

Bernie met her future husband, Arthur "Art" Bernhardt at the Rockhust University Discussion Club. They married in 1959 and four children soon followed, raising them in Prairie Village, Kansas (nicknamed Pregnant Village at that time).

When her youngest was ten years old, Bernie decided to get back in the workforce. For ten years she was a special education paraprofessional with the Shawnee Mission School District. She then worked for Guaranteed Foods, a frozen food home delivery company. Her next, best and final job was for 20 years at the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, now called Unbound, a child and aging sponsorship charity that serves populations in Latin America, Africa and Asia. She worked there until just after she turned 80!

Bernie was "Mom" to not only her children but also to several coworkers, neighborhood kids, and her children's friends. That fact was mostly due to her ability to be a great listener. She was also the best Aunt B to her several nieces and nephews.

The two most important things to Bernie was her family and her faith.

The legacy of Bernie lives on in her four children. All of us took up her love for gardening and being kind to the Earth. Bernie's life was anchored in her Catholic faith. She lived to serve. People and animals were the beneficiaries of her God-given gifts.

Bernie was predeceased by her husband Arthur, and her sisters Rosemary and Edna. She is survived by her children Brenda, David and Julia of Overland Park, KS and Paul (Betty Ann) of San Diego, CA. She leaves behind grandchildren Sara and Joe along with several nieces and nephews.

Services for Bernie are Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park, KS. Visitation is at 9:30AM with a funeral Mass to follow at 10:30AM.

In lieu of flowers please make a charitable donation in her name to either Queen of the Holy Rosary Church 7023 W 71st Street, Overland Park, KS 66204 https://www.queenoftheholyrosary.org
or Unbound, 1 Elmwood Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103 https://www.unbound.org

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernadette "Bernie" Bernhardt, please visit our flower store.

Send a Gift

Service Schedule

Upcoming Services

Visitation

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

9:30 - 10:30 am (Central time)

Queen of the Holy Rosary Church

7023 West 71st Street, Overland Park, KS 66204

Get Directions Send Flowers

Mass

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

10:30 - 11:30 am (Central time)

Queen of the Holy Rosary Church

7023 West 71st Street, Overland Park, KS 66204

Get Directions Send Flowers

Share Bernadette "Bernie" Bernhardt's obituary with others.

Stay updated

Share this obituary with others

Print