Bernadine Mary Gallagher

Bernadine (Bernie) Mary Gallagher passed December 16th, 2023, at the age of 92. Bernie was born at home to Martin and Helen (Kolarik) Korson in Suttons Bay on May 20th, 1931. She was the sixth of thirteen children. Bernie had told her father she would never marry a farmer, until she met John (Jack) Gallagher, a fruit farmer, in January of 1953. They were married June13th, 1953, at Saint Wenceslaus Church in Gills Pier. Bernie’s belief was either you knew you were in love, or you didn’t and scoffs at today’s long engagements. Bernie and Jack enjoyed thirty-seven wonderful years together before his passing in 1990. Bernie and Jack had seven children, Maria (Sidney) Lammers, Debra (Douglas) Iseri, Jeanne (Steven) Sheren, John Gallagher II, Martin (Stacey) Gallagher, Margaret Dewey, and Michael Joseph (Gayle) Gallagher. Bernie attended Houdek School for first grade, St. Michael’s in Suttons Bay 2nd-7th grade and Suttons Bay Public Schools 8th-10th grade, graduating in 1949 from St. Mary’s of Lake Leelanau. In the summer, Bernie and her siblings picked cherries at Waterman’s and Ance’s orchard to help pay for school clothes. She successfully picked twenty-five lugs of sweets in one day! Bernie also picked cucumbers and string beans for her parents and potatoes for Uncle Lawrence…even in the snow. She had a large garden and canned many of the fruits and vegetables. She was always sure to preserve mulberries and cherries for kolache, a Bohemian dessert, and a family favorite. Bernie worked at Michigan Bell for five years with four of her sisters, Julie, Dorothy, Emma, Catherine, foster sister Annie Popa, and future sister-in-law Betty Brief. Betty introduced Bernie and Jack when she set them up on a blind date. Bernie and Jack also started, the ever-popular Gallagher’s Farm Market in 1972. Bernie sang in the St. Wenceslaus and St. Francis Funeral choirs and provided food for church funeral luncheons. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, and was an avid reader. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies and was in a bowling league. Bernie was a very gracious host and even prepared large meals to feed the cherry crew in the early days of cherry harvesting. It was not unusual for her to host a holiday meal for forty members of her immediate family. She was an avid sports fan watching her grandchildren play sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, rugby, tennis, soccer and lacrosse; traveling many weekends to support their efforts. Bernie and Jack were enthusiastic travelers visiting Ireland, Germany, Turkey, and the states of Alaska, Texas, California, Oregon, Florida, Illinois, Idaho, Tennessee, Iowa, Washington, and Hawaii. After Jack passed, Bernie continued to travel with her sisters Julie and Phil, visiting India, Rome, Holland, Greece, France, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and Italy. Bernie is survived by 25 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren include: Emily (Andy) Cole, Anna Lammers (James Hart), Claire (Jake) Baker, Alex (Delna) Iseri, Bradley Iseri, Jessica O’Leary, Jason (Jamie) Sheren, Adam (Chelsey) Sheren, John (Rose) Gallagher III, Creighton (McKenzie) Gallagher, Jordan (Colleen) Gallagher, Elliott (Sarah) Gallagher, Gabriel (Danielle) Gallagher, Magdalyn Gallagher (Jason), Christian Gallagher, Ainsley Gallagher (Ian), Adeline and Eliza Jane Gallagher, Jack (Kristina) Gallagher, Kyle (Gabriella) Gallagher, Daniel, Julia, Laura Gallagher, Jacob and Joshua Dewey. Bernie’s great-grandchildren include Louisa, Rowan, Remy, Dillon, Everly, Finnegan, Piper, Cecilia, Declan, Ignatius, Julian, Ava, Kylan, Brielle, Scarlett, Layla, Harper, Iris, Arthur, Killian, Leland, Emma, Cecil, Hendrix, Claudia, and Franco. Bernie was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Jack, sister Julia Rieger (Clarence), Philomena Korson, Dorothy (Louis) Bramer, Lucille (Walter) Younglas. Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Cecil and Marjorie (McManus) Gallagher, sisters-in-law, Elizabeth (Jack) Brief and Mary Jo Gallagher. She is survived by siblings, Philip Korson (Joan deceased), Catherine McLenithan (Jack deceased), Emma (Gary) Gallagher, Helen Galla (Raymond deceased), Magdalen (Thomas) Gavin, Martin (Phyllis) Korson, Sylvester Tom (Marie) Korson and Ann Korson. Brothers and sisters-in-law, James (Patsy deceased) Gallagher, Margaret (John) Bufka, Gary (Emma) Gallagher, Colleen (Gary) Newell, Douglas (Joanne) Gallagher, Dorothy (Robert) Zimmerman, and Linda Stevenson. Bernie lived a very fulfilled life, focused on her faith and family, we will all miss her. Friends are welcome to visit with Bernie’s family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. The family will pray the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, December 22, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1025 S. Union St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Rev. Ben Rexroat will officiate. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Bernie’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Bernadine Mary Gallagher

May 20, 1931 - December 16, 2023