 West Hill Cemetery Sherman, Texas   The Herald Democrat May 1, 2013 Bernard Max Kuse completed his life's journey in Sherman at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital - WNJ Friday, April 26, 2013 following a hard fight with a tough illness. He entered this world 90 years ago, the son of Frank Fritz and Edna Adele Besserer Kuse on September 15, 1922 in Austin, Texas. He is a descendant of a musical family which is credited with being the catalyst in early-day Austin for the rich, vibrant musical heritage that exists there today. Bernard was a worker most of his life. At 9 years of age, he worked as a Legislative Page in the Texas legislature. Among his various duties, he often carried paper bags containing up to $10,000 in cash unescorted through the capital corridors to the state treasury office for deposit. After graduating from Austin High School, he enrolled at the University of Houston. When World War II broke out, Bernard volunteered for service in the Army Air Corps where he served as a radio operator and aerial gunner in 8th Air Force B-17 bombers. While in radio school at Scott Field, Illinois, he met a beautiful young St. Louis woman who was volunteering as a hostess and entertainer on a Mississippi River excursion boat which had been converted to a USO facility. Before leaving for war duty, Bernard asked her to marry him if he returned from the war. Bernard's wartime assignment was to the 8th Air Force, 1st Air Division, 398th Bomb Group, 601st Squadron at Nuthampstead, England. He flew 33 combat missions over occupied Europe at a time when the average survival rate was only 12 missions. At that time, bomber duty was considered the most dangerous job in the military with a mortality rate of 50%, yet Bernard sustained on a minor flak wound during all those combat missions. He was also an eyewitness to history as his bomber formation was the first to be attacked by the latest German secret weapon - the jet fighter. He flew his last combat mission on Christmas eve, 1944. In early 1945 he returned to the U.S. where he was honorably discharged at the end of the war. Shortly thereafter, he boarded at train to St. Louis to marry the love of his life, Bernadine Whitmire, on October 6, 1945. Togerther, Bernard and Bernadine raised 2 children, Wayne and Debra. In addition to being a loving husband and father, Bernard had a full civilian career as a businessman and banker. He worked for Dun and Bradstreet for many years and spent the last 25 years of his working career as a vice-president of Lumbermen's Credit Association in Chicago. Following his retirement, he and Bernadine move to La Grange, Texas where they spent the next 22 years involved in innumerable volunteer and civic activities. Bernard believed strongly in giving back to his community. He was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving 22 years at the post in La Grange, where he was awarded his 65 year pin. He was also a loyal member of the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association, attending most of their annual reunions. Bernard loved most sports and was particularly fond of fishing. He was also a gardener and a talented home handyman and craftsman. In 2009 Bernard and Bernadine moved to Sherman to be close to their son. They attended the Whitesboro First Methodist Church. Until his recent illness, Bernard loved to work as a volunteer guide at the Perrin AFB Musuem. Even during his final days in the hospital, he could be seen passing out brochures and small American flags to attract visitors to the museum. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents and 4 brothers, Carl, Frank, Walter and William. He is survivied by his wife of more than 67 years; his son, Wayne Kuse and wife, Roxann, of Sherman; his daughter, Debra Richardson and husband, Rob, of Plainfield, Illinois; 4 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. His last great-grandson, born just 24 hours before Bernard's passing, was named Charles Bernard. He was cremated according to his wishes and a graveside burial service with Military Honors accorded were held at West HilL Cemetery in Sherman on May 2, 2013. The service was conducted by Rev. Ken Hildebrand from the Whitesboro First Methodist Church. Dannel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Perrin AFB Museum, 4575 Airport Dr., Denison, Texas 75020 or Home Hospice, 505 W. Center St., Sherman, Texas 75090. Bernadine Marie Kuse completed her life's journey in Sherman at Traditions Senior Living and Memory Care on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. She was born in St. Louis on March 23, 1925, daughter of Thomas Dewey and Marie Elizabeth Binder Whitmire. She grew up in a working class family, living in the same neighborhood as baseball legend, Yogi Berra, a neighborhood rich in multiple ethnic cultures. Graduating from St. Louis' Southwest High School, she carried with her a talent for and a love of music. She used these skills during World War II by volunteering as a singer and musician with the USO on the renowned "Admiral" Mississippi River paddlewheel boat, entertaining servicemen as they prepared to go to war. Following the war, Bernadine and Bernard married and became known to friends and acquaintances as the 2 "Bernies". They were inseparable. During the years, they lived in Missouri, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Illinois before finally retiring in LaGrange, Texas. Outside the home Bernardine worked variously as a comptometer (a very early kind of accounting computer), operator, sales clerk and credit technician, finally retiring from Sears, Roebuck and Co. to care for her ailing parents. As her kids were growing up, she volunteered as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and a Troop leader for her daughter's Girl Scout group. She was especially fond of gardening and singing. After retiring, she continued her voluteer work in organizations such as VFW auxiliary, Second Chance (recycling) Shop through her church, their local homeowners association in LaGrange, and Perrin AFB in Grayson County. Bernadine was preceded in death by her husband and parents. She is survived by her son Wayne Kuse and wife, Roxann, of Sherman; daughter, Debra Richardson and husband, Rob, of Plainfield, Illinois; 4 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers were her grandsons, David Charles Richardson and Robert Ramsey Richardson, IV. She was cremated according to her wishes; a memorial service was held at Sherman's Dannel Funeral Home chapel Tuesday, January 26, 2016, followed by interment at West Hill Cemetery. The service was conducted by Pastor Ken Hildebrand from Whitesboro First Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Perrin AFB Museum or a charity of choice. West Hill Cemetery Elaine Nall Bay ©2018 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |