Bernadette A. Frank

Bernadette Ann Frank, age 88, of Beaver Dam, left her earthly body peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The family takes comfort in her peace.

The memorial gathering will be at Annunciation Catholic Church in Fox Lake, on Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the church on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. There will be a gathering following the mass at the Fox Lake American Legion Post 521.

Bernadette Ann Dorn was born in Madison, Wisconsin on November 9, 1937 to Christian Dorn & Marie Francis (nee Miller) Dorn. She spent her early years on the farm with her seven siblings.

On September 6, 1960 Bernadette married Robert Andrew Frank. Bernie & Bob started a family and Bernie focused on raising the kids for most of her young life. Family was always very important to her and there were frequent spirited get-togethers with grandparents and aunts and uncles enjoying lots of good food and comradery.  Over 50 years ago Bob & Bernie moved with their family to their own family farm. This was the hub of daily adventures for their five kids. Bernie loved to cook and bake, and many family holidays were filled with laughter, outdoor activities and fond memories.

Bernie enjoyed following many sports teams over the years, she was the loudest cheerleader at all her kids’ baseball games! She was also a fervent Green Bay Packer fan and followed the Milwaukee Brewers for years.

Bernie’s Catholic faith was very important to her, and she was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Annunciation Parish in Fox Lake. She volunteered with the Fox Lake American Legion Auxiliary at Post 521 helping with various community functions over the years. She also enjoyed volunteering with the Dodge County Antique Power Club and baked countless pies for decades of shows. Once the kids were in school, she worked outside of the home, while continuing to provide bookkeeping services for Robert’s long-time local business, Frank Electric. She expertly juggled household responsibilities in a truly amazing way. Later in life she enjoyed a stint working at the now Ergo Bank in Fox Lake, affectionately known by her kids and grandkids as “the cow bank”. This got her out of the house, serving the community for many years.

She always said “she didn’t have time to slow down” but in her later years when she had no choice, she was welcomed at Prairie Ridge Assisted Living and most recently spoiled by Moments Hospice. Their tender care will forever be appreciated by the family.

She will be greatly missed by her many loved ones, including her husband of over 65 years, Robert and their children Cheryl (Brent) Stange, Patrick (Margaret) Frank, Sandra Frank, Scott (Amy) Frank and Thomas Frank. She was so proud of her five grandchildren, Elizabeth (Bryce) Busjahn, Maria (Jim) Stanislawski, Hunter (Kelsey) Frank, Rebecca Frank and Bryan Frank along with her five beloved great-grand children, Anthony, Huxley, Halen, Teresa and Peter. She will be missed by her siblings, Virginia Conway, Fred (Maggie) Dorn, George (Barb) Dorn and Marge Tessner. Brother-in-law Donald Frank, sisters-in-law Judy Dorn and Lila Frank along with countless friends and family that she has touched over the years.

Bernie was preceded in death by her mom and dad, sister Joann Pederson and an infant sister at birth, brothers Michael Dorn and Joseph Dorn, brothers-in-law Robert “Pete” Pederson, Frank Conway, Darrell Frank, George Campnell and Bruce Tessner, along with sisters-in-law Dorothy Frank, Charlotte Dorn and Marlene Campnell.