Bernadette Marie Drevecky, 82, was born April 14, 1924 to Fred and Blanche Schwartzwald in Chengwatana Township, Pine County, Minn. Her father and mother were hard working farmers with a small farm on the east side of Cross Lake, a few miles outside of Pine City, Minn. Bernadette attended country school and loved poetry and history.

She also loved growing up with her two brothers and three sisters. How she enjoyed telling stories and sharing her early experiences with them and all the other rural children of that area! Farm work itself was not her favorite pastime. She did, however, really enjoy helping her mother clean, sew, cook, and keep the farmhouse in order.

By the time of WWII she had grown more adventurous. During the 1940's she had met Floyd Drevecky. They were destined to be together. However, before that, she traveled to California to spend time working at a candy factory, staying with an aunt and uncle for a year. By war's end Bernadette and Floyd were back together. They wed on Sept 11, 1947. To this union were born five children: Rick, Cressy, Randy, Cindy, and Carrie.

During their years together Floyd settled in at a long time job with Amber Milling. Bernadette grew into a consummate homemaker and provider. Her care and love for her children were part of her every breath.

She extended that love and care to all of those around her; her friends, neighbors, and fellow church members.

Bernadette was a devout Roman Catholic. Her love and devotion to her faith in Jesus Christ were evident to all who knew her. She had special devotion to His Mother Mary and daily rosary was part of her very being. Working on church dinners and events were a central part of her life and the friendships she developed were a source of great happiness for her.

The years went by. She was blessed with 16 grandchildren and 9 "great" grandchildren.

However, her "love" and constant companion, Floyd, passed away in June of 1998.

Bernadette moved on, eventually selling her home in Rush City and moving into Rush Oaks Apartments where she made many new and wonderful friends. In July of 2006 she made another move to Golden Horizons in Pine City. Her short time there was spent making even more new friends and renewing former friendships. She was just recently selected Resident of the Month.

On December 7, 2006 the Lord gently took her by the hand and told her it was time to come home and be with Floyd forever.

Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents, husband Floyd, sister Betty and her husband Dennis Anderson, nieces Collette Grover, Roxanne Wojak (Schwartzwald), and nephew Scott Schwartzwald.

She is survived by her sisters Pat (Bill) Grover of Blaine, Yvonne (Ed) Schultz of St. Paul, and her brothers Jerome Schwartzwald of Anoka and Ken (Rosie) Schwartzwald of Paynesville. Also surviving Bernadette are her children Rick (Mary Ann) Drevecky, Cressy (Ron) Scharmer, Randy (Deb) Drevecky all of Rush City, Cindy Allen of Pine City, Carrie (Mark) Nelson of Rush City, her 16 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, plus a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who she loved and cherished throughout her life.

Fathers Xavier Thelakkott and Ralph Huar concelebrated a Mass of Christian Burial for Bernadette on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Rush City. Music was provided by Nancy Sterk and Mark Prudhomme. Honorary casket bearers included Bernadette's granddaughters Rachel Morey, Amy Rands, Trisha Sandau, Kayla Nelson, Amanda Drevecky, Rebecca Drevecky and Megan Drevecky. The active casket bearers included grandsons Ron Scharmer, Jr., Jacob Allen, Joshua Allen, Jordan Allen, Josiah Allen, Jared Drevecky, Christopher Drevecky, Kyle Nelson and Kevin Nelson with the interment in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rush City. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service - Olson Chapel-of Rush City, Minn.

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