Bernice Ciukaj Kindt

1927 - 2015

Bernice Ciukaj Kindt

Merritt Island

 passed away at the age of 87 Friday July 3, 2015 of congestive heart failure at Cape Canaveral Hospice Cocoa Beach, Florida. 

Bernice was the younger of two daughters born to Edward and Anna (Hebda) Ciukaj on December 21, 1927 in Mosinee, Wisconsin.  She grew up working on their family farm and walked many miles to a one room school house in Rockyridge, Wisconsin.  After high school she moved to Washington D.C. and got a job with the federal government.   She married Mertis Leon Kindt on December 9, 1949 in Washington D.C., later moving to Baltimore, Maryland.

Bernice, her husband and two children Mertis Jr. and Debbie moved in 1957 to Cape Canaveral, Florida. She gave birth to two other children Linda and Holly.  Later she and the family moved to their home in Merritt Island, Florida.

Bernice worked for the Brevard County School Board for thirty years.  She started work at Tropical Elementary School cafeteria and later she transferred to Jefferson Junior High School's cafeteria where she became the head baker and was well known for her famous rolls. She worked for friend and boss Patricia Lawson.

Bernice liked fishing.  On weekends, she would accompany her husband catching mullet in the river.  They cured and smoked the mullet, supplying many of the mullet to Ramon's restaurant in Cocoa Beach.  She also enjoyed gardening. 

Survivors include her children Mert Kindt (Sharon Foor), Debbie Hogan, Linda New (Ken), and Holly Walsh Ford (Roger).  Grandchildren Ryan Walsh (Tiffani) and Lindsey New (Chris McGill), and great grandchildren Aiden Walsh and Adalyn McGill.  Nephew-in-law Arnold Geiger of Anchorage, Alaska and great nephew Richard Geiger.

Predeceased by her husband Mertis Kindt October 5, 2006.  Her sister Josephine Lawryk January 31, 2011 and niece Teresa Geiger November 27, 2012.

Celebration of life will be held Saturday July 11 at 2:00.  Friends of the family please call Holly 795-3623 or Linda 536-7142.