Beatrice "Bea" Stemler, age 81, of Berlin, WI, died peacefully at her home on Friday morning November 6, 2009 surrounded by her family and under the care of the Hospice Hope.

Bea was born April 27, 1928 at Aunt Ellen's home in Milwaukee, WI to Alois and Marietta (O'Keefe) Steger, Bea was the first born daughter of eleven children.

She married Joseph A. Stemler on May 4, 1946 at Saint Mark's Catholic Church of Redgranite.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Joseph A. Stemler and her eight children Marcia (Wayne) Klepinger, Mary Jo (Jerrold) Smith, Christian (Linda) Stemler, Monica (Matthew) Goldin, Therese (Dallas) Lewallen, Anne (Kurtis) Kirk, Joe II (Joan) Stemler, and Jonathan Stemler, grandchildren, Amie Klepinger, Sara (Chad) Doverspike, Kit Klepinger, Jeremy (Doreen) Smith, Jason Smith, Teddy Schumacher, Jimmy Schumacher, Alison Stemler, Jessica Stemler, Nathan Zabel, Emily Felbab, Andrew Goldin, Gretchen Lewallen, Laura Lewallen, Dallas Lewallen, Julia Lewallen, Andrea Stemler, Genevieve Stemler, Kayla Stemler, Erica Stemler, great-grandchildren, Jonah Klepinger , Dylan Baumunk, Ashlyn Smith, Brenna Doverspike, Carlee Doverspike, Ellie Doverspike, Isaac Wheaton. Bea is also survived by her sisters Arlene Barrett, June (Robert) Leigh, Patricia (Robert) Kasubaski, brothers John (Pat) Steger, James (Bev) Steger, and Larry Steger. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bea is preceded in death by her son, Mark J. Stemler, her parents, her sister Marjorie Thiel, brothers, Alois Steger, Thomas Steger, Kenneth Steger and brother in law, Jack Barrett and Pete Thiel.

Bea is a member of the All Saints Catholic Parish of Berlin and was a member of the D.A.V. auxiliary, VFW auxiliary, Catholic Daughters of the America's, Court Allouez #461, Ladies Sodality of All Saint's Parish, Berlin, Third Order of St. Francis, and Ex-Prisoners of War-Central Chapter.

Bea worked as an upholsterer; seamstress and she had an expansive collection of roosters in every shape and form. She took pride in caring for her many houseplants and perennial flower gardens, donating blood (10+ Gallon Club), was a great cook and bird lover. Bea volunteered for the church and delivered meals on wheels. Music was something she loved especially rock. She was a great storyteller and especially loved spending time with her family and her entire family is really going to miss her.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Funeral services with the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. from the All Saints Catholic Church of Berlin with the Rev. Jerome Maksvytis officiating and burial will follow in the Saint Michael's Catholic Cemetery of Berlin.

Relatives and friends may call at the Wiecki-Skipchak Funeral Home of downtown Berlin on Monday, November 9, 2009 fro 4 to 8 p.m. with a Parish Rosary to be recited at 7:45 p.m. and may also call at the Funeral Home on Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. before we leave for the services at the church.

John R. Wiecki-Skipchak

Funeral Home

116 S. Adams Avenue

Downtown Berlin, WI 54923

920-361-2050