Delores Bernsen

Delores Bernsen age 85 passed away peacefully at Christus Spohn Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born January 10th 1936 In El Campo Tx. Delores was always a survivor having a split family which was uncommon for the time. Delores started school in El Campo, then moved to Wharton and back to El Campo, eventually as a young child attended the Nazareth Academy in Victory TX. Where she boarded with the Nuns for several years. This is where her catholic Faith took hold and made her the person she was. Delores’s Dad finally settled in Robstown where Delores attended St. Johns Catholic School and Church and graduated 8th grade with top honors. Delores then went on to graduate high school from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, TX while working at the Morris Five and Dime Store in Robstown TX and Babysitting to earn money for her tuition.

While in school Delores met Tommy Bernsen at a CYO dance. She and Tommy dated for two years and were engaged just before he left to serve his country. When Tommy returned from Korea, they were married at St. Johns Catholic Church on November 22nd 1954. Delores and Tommy like most young couples of the time started their family quickly having their 1st child Tommy Eugene, Dec.29th 1955, Janet Lynn Nov. 17th 1956, and Robert Doyen Dec. 3rd. 1957 with three young children and a husband Delores was kept very busy, when along came Judith Elaine July 18th 1960 and James Charles Sept. 23rd 1963. Delores learned from the first 3 and became a pro at running a household and raising 5 kids by the last two.

When the older 3 children started school and Delores only had 2 small children at home, she said there was not much to do so she started her volunteer work. Delores started off by becoming a PTA member at Wilma Magee Elementary in Calallen TX where she quickly became Hospitality Chairman, then the Historian, and of course PTA President. Delores received a PTA pin and certificate from the Texas Congress of the Parent and Teacher Association and was made a life time member in honor of her dedication and hard work supporting teacher and young children in the schools.

Delores volunteer work did not stop there. She became the room mother for her children’s class parties, Little League Baseball Team mother, Bluebird troop leader, 4-H Leader, which then led to becoming involved with the Coastal Bend Rabbit Breeders Association and the Nueces County Livestock Association. If Delores children were in it, Delores was in it. She always was there to support her children.

But Delores volunteering stretched further than just her children. She was greatly involved in her Catholic faith. Delores taught religion classes. She served as member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Violet and ST. Peter’s Catholic Church of Annaville Altar Society. She was also a member of the Corpus Christi Council of Catholic Women and served as the president 3 times over a span of 20 years and worked on Many of the committees as a chairperson. Delores was also involved with the Church Women United and the KJZT of Robstown.

Now what about Community, Yes Delores was involved in community service also. During war time in the past young men had to register for the draft for Service to our Country. Delores was there to help them register. Delores also helped organized the Robstown VFW Women Auxiliary in which helped the VFW member raise money to buy the 1st. VFW building in Robstown, TX. As a member of the VFW Women Auxiliary over the many years she held the office of President and Vice President several times. Delores also helped out with the WIC program in Robstown TX.

Delores was a true servant to others helping family, friends and acquaintance. As her father Nick A. Hill grew older and was sick, she moved him into her home and took care of him. She did the same when her mother Emma L. Nicholson became ill. Delores also cared for her oldest son Tommy a type 1 diabetic until his death.

Delores helped others until she could not physically help them any longer, but even after becoming bedridden she would make phone calls for organizations selling raffle tickets or creating an advertising board of special events for them.

Delores life was dedicated to helping other and she will be missed greatly by all who knew her, especially her Family; children, Janet Hennigan (Blaine), Robert Bernsen (Leslie), Judith Moore (Olan); daughter-in-law, Toni Bernsen; her Grandchildren, James Bernsen (Denise), Melanie Cunningham (Brian), Kimberly Williams (J.D.), Charles Bernsen (Andrea), Kenneth Hennigan (Joy), Jennifer Hennigan, Jessica Moore, Julie Moore, Claire Bernsen. Great-Grandchildren Erin Cunningham, Kaya Bernsen, Lynn Lee Bernsen, Elijah Bernsen, Austen Williams, Emma Hennigan, Benjamin Hennigan, Abigail Hennigan.

Delores will be celebrating her new eternal life with many family members that have gone before her, but especially with her husband, Tommy M. Bernsen of 63 years; her sons, Tommy E. Bernsen, and James (Jim) Charles Bernsen, and her Grandsons, Aaron Scott Hennigan and David Nathanial Moore.

REST IN PEACE MY BEAUTIFUL SWEET MOM.