Obit: Dums, Bernard Henry (1920 - 2008)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Dums, Bucher, Roder, Czerniak, Wudi, Kolecheck, Kreuscher, Akin, Vickers, Schoechert, Royce, Ogle

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Monday, 22 Dec. 2008

Dums, Bernard Henry (22 June 1920 - 19 Dec. 2008)

Bernard Henry Dums, 88, of Rib Lake died Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at the Palliative Care Unit of Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, after sustaining a fall on Dec. 1.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Rib Lake with Fr. Otto Bucher officiating. Interment will be with full military honors in St. Ann's Cemetery, town of Greenwood. The pallbearers are David Roder, Paul Dums, Greg Dums, Dan Czerniak, Andy Dums, Tom Dums, Mike Wudi and Randy Dums.

Visitations are from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, at Good Shepherd Church, Rib Lake and 1:30 p.m. until the time of the Mass Tuesday. There will be a parish prayer service at 8 p.m. Monday at the church.

Bernard was born June 22, 1920, to John and Margaret (Kolecheck) Dums. He lived his entire life within a mile of his birthplace. He received his education at Highland School in the town of Greenwood. Bernard served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 through 1945. Bernard and Hilda Kreuscher were united in marriage June 14, 1958, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in the town of Greenwood. Together they operated a dairy and Christmas tree farm and Bernard enjoyed working in the woods.

After retiring from the dairy business, he remained active with his Christmas trees, woodswork and gardening until the time of his injury. Bernard was active in his church, serving over the years as a Parish Council Member, CCD teacher, usher, lector and greeter. He also was very active in the Knights of Columbus and became a 4th degree Knight holding numerous leadership positions. Bernard was proud to have served his country in the military and was active in the Lehman-Clendenning American Legion Post No. 274, Rib Lake. He was also a member of the Chelsea Conservation Club.

Bernard touched the lives of many people. He will be remembered as a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years Hilda, children George Dums of Rib Lake and Judy (Dan) Akin of Hewitt, grandchildren Jake and Chelsea Akin, siblings John (Mary) Dums of Rib Lake, Marcella Dums and Helen Dums, both of Rib Lake, Regina Czerniak of Westboro and Margaret Vickers of Owen. He is further survived by brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Robert and Loretta Schoechert of Wisconsin Rapids, Irene Royce of Glen Flora and Louise Ogle of Ladysmith, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers Joseph Dums and Donald (Helen) Dums. Memorial contributions in honor of Bernard may be given to the family.

Dallmann-Kniewel Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake are serving the family.