Bernadine M. Karmazin

Bernadine M. Karmazin, 91, of Grand Island died Sunday, August 23, 2015, peacefully at home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Grand Island. Father Donald Buhrman will celebrate mass. Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Hastings at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday with a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. All Faiths Funeral Home of Grand Island is serving the family. Bernadine was born on October 31, 1923, on the farm near Denman, NE. She and her sisters helped their dad on the farm and drove a horse and buggy to school. She graduated from Kenesaw School at the age of 16 with a teaching certificate. Her first job was teaching students in grades one through eight in a little, one room schoolhouse. She married Donald Utecht on September 23, 1946, in Norton, Kansas. After the births of their 3 children, they began farming near Denman, Nebraska and later in Doniphan. After Donald passed in 1972, Bernadine taught at Senior High School in Hastings. In 1974, she married Jerome Karmazin and moved to his family farm in Lawrence, NE. After Jerome passed away, Bernadine moved to Grand Island to be closer to her three children. Bernadine was the epitome of “once a teacher, always a teacher.” In 1979, she became a foster grandmother at Dodge school. For as many years as her health allowed, she was known as “Grandma Bernadine.” She touched the lives of hundreds of kids and always rewarded their efforts with her special stickers. Bernadine was kind, caring, giving and thankful. She was the heart of her family and spending time with them was her greatest joy. She had a strong faith and put every situation in God’s hands. She loved planting flowers and dancing to polkas. She was able to spend her last years at home with loving caregivers. Our family is eternally grateful to Wauneta, Mandy, Patty, Kim, Caroline, Jolene and Jessica. Survivors include children, John (Sue) Utecht of Doniphan, Donette (Doug) Miller of Kearney, and Judy O’Sullivan of Grand Island; grandchildren, Lynnette (Scott) Kennedy of Yutan, NE, Kelsey O’Sullivan of Colorado Springs, CO; Brennan O’Sullivan of Grand Island; Barb (Travis) Berg of Sterling, CO; Brea (Marc) Pyle of Hastings; Michele (Mike) Henke and Stephanie (Travis) Detamore both of Doniphan; great-grandchildren and her sister, Marvel Miller of California. Bernadine’s marriage to Jerome grew her family. After the loss of Jerome’s first wife, they raised his five children together. Those children are Ken, Joe, Cheryl, Denise and Tim. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and her sister, Inez Rogers. A memorial fund will be established in memory of Bernadine.

Bernadine M. Karmazin

October 31, 1923 - August 23, 2015

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Bernadine M. Karmazin

October 31, 1923 - August 23, 2015

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support