Bernard Roels

Roels, Bernard

Bernard U. Roels of De Pere passed away after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease on Sunday afternoon, December 6, 2015 with his wife and children at his side. The son of the late John and Irene (Shelter) Roels was born October 29, 1930 in the town of Hobart. He married the former Margaret Kraszewski on September 3, 1960.

Bernard was a long-time attorney in De Pere, leading his own firm with his partners for much of his career. The successor firm; Roels, Keidatz, Fronsee & Danen still thrives in De Pere. He was a graduate of St. Norbert High School (Abbot Pennings/Notre Dame de la Baie), St. Norbert College and Marquette University Law School. He also served as an officer in the United States Army. Bernard was very active in both civic and spiritual life. He was a long-time member of St. Mary's Catholic Community in De Pere and performed legal work for both the church and school. He was active in the Kiwanis Club, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Greenleaf Wayside Bank, a member of the Abbot Pennings Council Knights of Columbus and was a founder of the De Pere Ice Center among his many endeavors in the community during his life.

Bernard loved outdoor activities, and spent time with family, relatives and friends hunting, fishing, and camping. He also liked playing cards, and will be missed by his bridge group. He played golf with friends and was fond of horseshoes when there was an open set of stakes available.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 55 years - Margaret, two sons - Kevin (Geri) Roels, Greg (Elisa) Roels, and two daughters - Renee Roels (Carrie Lewis) and Faye (Charles) Frohman. He is also survived by his sister Margaret (Tony) Diederich, his grandchildren - Katie, Nik, Christian, Peter, Bernie, Quinn, Bianca and Madison Roels; Flint and Margaret Frohman, and his sisters-in-law Mildred Roels, Pat Roels, Regina Pierret, June Wolf, June Kaye, Sophie Kraszewski, Lorraine Kraszewski and brother-in-law Tony Diederich.

Bernard is preceded in death by his daughter Beth Roels, his brothers John, Norbert and Donald and his sisters Sister Verona (Blanche), Magdalene Van Kauwenberg, Frances Losey, Florence Diederich and Marcella (Sally) Janz.

Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave, De Pere, on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 3:30pm until 6:30pm. A Knights of Columbus Abbot Pennings Council #3955 prayer service will be held at 6:00pm, followed by a Parish Prayer Service. Visitation will continue at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview, on Saturday from 9:30am until 10:15am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am with Rev. Richard Getchel officiating and Rev. John H. Harper as Homilist. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com

The family wishes to thank the staff at Unity Hospice in De Pere for care of Bernard in his last few weeks here with us. In lieu of flowers, the family would recommend memorials in Bernard's name to Unity Hospice in De Pere, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter in Green Bay or St. Mary's Catholic Community in De Pere.

Thank you to all of Bert's family and good friends for helping him enjoy the good life!