Lois Bernhard

January 19, 1930 - February 26, 2022

Lois Clara Bernhard, 92, Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 26, 2022. Lois was born January 19, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Louis and Clara Vitek Nousek. She was a graduate of Lourdes Academy and attended Ursuline College. On May 26, 1951, Lois and William Bernhard were united in marriage, enjoying more than 60 years prior to his death on December 30, 2011. Lois’ Catholic faith was strong and an example for all to emulate. She was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary, and also the Infant Jesus of Prague. Living in Cleveland until 1995, she was a parishioner of St. Richard’s Catholic Church in North Olmsted and an active member of the Christ Child Society of Cleveland. She was a member and served as president of the Magnificat Catholic High School Mother’s Club. Here in Topeka, Bill and Lois were members of Christ the King Parish, where she participated regularly in the Adoration Chapel. In recent times she has been a member of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish. With her pleasant outgoing personality she joined the Topeka chapter of PEO and the Red Hat Ladies Society at Thornton Place. Lois was a devoted wife and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening, crafting and needlework. Her love for her family shone brightly for all. She was a great cook and nourished us with meals flavored by her Czech ancestry. Her smile and kindness will be in our hearts forever. We love you! Grateful to have shared her life are her daughter, Deborah Lois Bernhard Sheehy and her husband, Patrick Gerald Sheehy, MD; three grandsons, Justin Sheehy, MD and his wife, Mary Beth, Daniel Sheehy and his wife, Danielle and Brendan Sheehy and his wife, Jessica; six great-grandchildren, Ryan, Hailey, Mason, Aedan, Eliza and Owen. Topeka services include visitation Wednesday, March 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where the rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Cleveland. Memorial contributions may be made to The Good Samaritan Fund of Aldersgate Village or Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.