Sister Bernadine Lepak

Sister Bernadine (Lucretia) Lepak, age 79, a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis for 60 years, died March 17, 2022, at Regina Health Care Center in Richfield, OH.  Sister Bernadine was born January 2, 1943, to the late Edwin and Tillie (Stencel) Lepak.

She attended St. Stanislaus School and graduated from Maria High School.  On August 31, 1958, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, professing her final vows on August 10, 1968.

Sister Bernadine earned a BS Degree in Education from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI.  She also earned her Master of Religious Education from St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana in July of 1981. Sister Bernadine ministered as both an educator and principal, as well as a Religious Education Director for nearly 30 years in Milwaukee at St. Adalbert, Blessed Sacrament, Vincent DePaul, and St. Barbara Schools.  She also taught at St. John, Menasha; St. Bridget's in River Falls, St. Boniface in Germantown, WI; and St. Stanislaus, Stevens Point.  In 1998, Sister Bernadine accepted the ministry of Activity Director for the infirmed sisters at St. Joseph Motherhouse where she filled the halls with her laughter, sense of humor and colorful costumes. She held that position for 16 years, also during this time she was a caregiver and companion to her parents.  She retired in 2015 but continued to lead activities and spend time with the sisters at the motherhouse.

Sister moved to Marymount Congregational Home, Garfield Heights, OH, in 2019 and then to Regina Health Care Center in Ohio, January 2022 where she passed away, March 17 ^th .

Sister Bernadine (Bernie) is survived by her sister Linda (Larry Woyak), brothers, Maynard, Ralph (Phyllis), Thomas (Carol), and Gary (Teri), brother-in-law Norman Bejna, sister-in-law Mary Ann Lepak.  nieces, nephews, friends, and The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Tillie (Stencel) and Edwin Lepak, brothers Reginald and Myron, and sister Claudia Bejna, sister-in-law Virginia Lepak.

Funeral services will be held with a Mass of Christian Burial at Marymount Congregational Home, Garfield Heights, OH on March 24, 2022.  At the wishes of the family there will be a private prayer service in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and burial at The St Joseph Cemetery for Sister Bernie.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to all of The Sisters of St Joseph for their love, support, and prayers during Sister Bernie's stay in Ohio.  Thank you to all of the sisters being present for our dear sister during her final days, especially for their prayers and presence when we could not be with her. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to serve the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com