William Bernsen

William “Bill” Carl Bernsen, of Corpus Christi, Texas passed away Thursday, March 28, 2013 after a brief illness. He was born June 25, 1927 in Violet, Texas to William Theodore and Katherine Hoelscher Bernsen. Bill graduated from Calallen High School, was a U.S. Navy veteran, a respected farmer in the Violet-Robstown area, a member of the Corpus Christi Vintage Car Club, a member of the VFW Post 7841 and lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Violet. His love of farming had deep roots beginning as a boy on the family farm. He was particular about his crops and fields. He was inseparable from his wife, Norine, and especially proud of his daughters and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Maurice Bernsen. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Norine Bernsen of Corpus Christi, Texas; his daughters, Nancy Higgs, Connie (Brad) Bihner of Houston, Texas, Gail (Dennis ) Gilbert of Linn Creek, Missouri and Carol (Butch) Kocurek of Robstown, Texas; his brothers, Leon Bernsen, Sr. and Tom (Delores) Bernsen of Robstown, Texas; his sisters, Betty Schlottman of Rosebud, Texas, Barbara (Walter) Greenwood of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Virginia (Dick) Means of Corpus Christi, Texas; his grandchildren, Brett (Kate) Bihner, Blake Bihner, Donna Higgs and Conrad Higgs all of Houston, Texas and Trey Kocurek of Robstown, Texas; one great grandchild coming soon, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. With his passing, we remind others that his life is one to be celebrated, although we will miss him everyday, especially his winning smile. He never knew a stranger. Visitation is at 6 P.M. Monday, April 1, 2013 at St. Anthony Catholic Church at Violet, Texas with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 7 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 A.M. Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at St. Anthony Catholic Church at Violet, Texas with Rev. Msgr. Celestine Murray as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery in Violet, Texas. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren in addition to Edmund Hoelscher, Leon Bernsen, Jr. and George Malik. Honorary pallbearers will be Earl Jalufka, Matt Danysh, Frank Trevino and Joe Blossman. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make contributions to St. Anthony Church Building Fund (3918 CR 61, Robstown, TX 78380) or the Violet Historical Society.