Bernice H. Kauling-Rueter

Bernice H. Kauling-Rueter, nee Von Hatten, age 91, of Breese passed away at Cedarhurst Assisted Living Center in Breese on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. She was born in rural Carlyle on June 14, 1928 the daughter of Bernard and Louisa (Woltering) Von Hatten. She married Donald J. Kauling on August 31, 1950 and he preceded her in death on May 26, 1980. Bernice later married Orville Rueter on June 30, 1984 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle and he preceded her in death on February 27, 2018.

Also preceding her in death were her mother and father; her siblings: Wilbert Von Hatten and wife Joetta, Elmer Von Hatten and wife Margaret, Adolph Von Hatten and wife Catherine, Urban Von Hatten and wife Gladys, Bernard Von Hatten, and Maryann Borgelt.

Bernice is survived by her children: James Kauling (Mary Alice) of Collinsville, Don Kauling (Kim) of Carlyle, Cindy Dumstorff (Lester) of Carlyle, John Kauling (Ruth) of Carlyle, Judy Abernathy (Jim) of Carlyle, Sharon Stewart (Joe) of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, Jean Kleber (Ed) of Carlyle, Deb Kroeschen (Greg) of Toluca, and Mary Verstegen (John) of Carlyle; her grandchildren: Brian Kauling (Ashley), Allison Kauling (Claire), Dawn Smith (Jim), Leslie Dumstorff, Robert Dumstorff (Jennifer), Teal Kauling (special friend James Guithues Jr.) Brandon Kauling, Scott Abernathy (Lindsey), Chad Abernathy (Shawn), Justin Kleber (Madison), Jaron Kleber (Brittany), Alyssa Pomagier (Christopher), Alivia Kroeschen , Nicholas Verstegen, Kristi Verstegen; great grandchildren: Caitlynn Smith, Logan Smith, Ethan Dumstorff, Audrey Dumstorff, and Kate Dumstorff, Jaden and Jackson Porcell, Max Abernathy, Drake Dunn, Rhett Abernathy, Paxton Kleber, Brynnlee Kleber, and Ella Pomagier.

She is also survived by her sister, Marcella Grapperhaus of Breese and her
sister-in-law: Alice Von Hatten.

Bernice was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle and the St. Ann Altar Sodality. She was part owner of Kauling Wood Products and preferred to be scaling logs and being outdoors as much as possible. She enjoyed gardening and embroidering. Bernice was known for her sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle with Fr. George Mauck officiating. Interment will follow at
St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Carlyle.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 PM on Friday, October 25, 2019 and on Saturday from
8:00 until 9:30 AM at Nordike Funeral Home in Carlyle.

Memorials made in memory of Bernice are suggested to Residential Hospice or St. Mary’s Catholic Church and will be received at Nordike Funeral Home, 740 Fairfax Street, in Carlyle.