Dussmann, Bernadine ( Stegmaier)

Fairport – Entered into the arms of the Lord on April 26, 2018. Born in Chicago, IL. on July 10, 1919, Bernadine lived a long and fulfilled life. Loving her family and friends, caring for others, working at the Illinois Bell Telephone Co. for 38 years, relocating to Southern Florida, where she worked at H&R Block, retiring at the age of 88. Bernadine is predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Robert J. Dussmann and son, Paul Dussmann. She is survived by her son, Robert J. Dussmann (Kristina) of Fairport, NY; sister, Josephine Flatley of Fairport, NY; daughter-in-law, Judith Dussmann of Chicago, IL.; grandchildren, Lisa, Todd, Bret & Ava Dussmann; great-grandchildren, Danny & Michael Jeuk, Lauren & Zachary Dussmann, Madison Dussman.

The family wishes to thank VNH and Flora, Michelle and Merian from Quality Care at Home for their heartfelt love, care and support.

Friends may call Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 4-6PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, Egypt Location, 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd., Fairport, where a Service will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport, NY 14450 in her memory for her love of dogs, especially Sassy

Bernadine Dussmann Biography

July 10th 1919- April 26th 2018

Bernadine Dussmann was a remarkable woman. She was born July 10th 1919 in Chicago Illinois as Bernadine Stegmaier to two loving parents, Bernard and Josephine Stegmaier. In the height of the Roaring Twenties her father past away on her fifth birthday in 1924. During the Great Depression Bernadine along with her older sister Josephine and her mother were tight on money and had lived in a garage with another family to make ends meet. During this time Bernadine was enrolled in High School and had the opportunity to receive piano lessons with her best friend at the time. When she was 15 years old, she received a letter from her aunt on her father’s side, Sister Marcella who was a Nun, in this letter she told Bernadine that although she was born a Catholic, she could practice any religion she desired and she would still be loved the same. This speaks volumes in not so many words. When Bernadine was 17 years old, her mother passed away and she was forced to grow up. She then dropped out of school and moved in with her Aunt and Uncle. There she got a job at Illinois Bell Telephone Co. This was during the Great Depression where it was considerably hard to find jobs but she told me ( her granddaughter) that she had a foot in the door with a mutual friend who put a good word in for her. A couple years later she was attending a carnival where she was to inevitably meet the love of her life and soon-to-be husband Robert J. Dussmann. She told me “ The only reason I gave him my number was because one of my friends knew him, so I knew he wasn’t a creep”. On May 11th 1940 Bernadine who was aged 20 and Robert Dussmann who was aged 22 were married. They would continue to be married for the next 60 years until Robert’s untimely death on April 8th of the year 2000. In 1942 two years after their marriage, Paul Dussmann was born. Her eldest son whom she loved very much. They loved to visit Charles Dussmann (Bob’s brother) at Fox Lake very frequently and they all loved to fish very much. In 1949 Robert J. Dussmann Jr. was born, her youngest son. After working at the telephone company for 38 years she retired and she and Robert (Bob) relocated to Southern Florida where they absolutely loved their life. When she was 75 years old, Bernadine went back to high school and received her GED with phenomenal grades. Bernadine loved her family more than anything. There in Florida she had her lovely circle of friends whom she adored very much. She died on April 26th 2018 in Fairport New York where she relocated 4 years prior to be closer to her family. She was so loved and will be missed in every one of our hearts but it is our promise today that Bernadine Dussmann will live on through words and memories and will never be forgotten for as long as we live. She will go on generation after generation becoming a legend in our family to yours as she was to me and my family now and forever.

With all the love in the world and above,

Love, The Dussmann-Gaige Family.