Bernadette Whalen

Bernadette M. Whalen, 96, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, February 19, 2021, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 22nd, at 1:30 PM at St. Mary's Lycurgus Catholic Church in rural Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. In consideration of concerns regarding Covid-19, social distancing and wearing of masks is required. The service will also be live streamed on Martin-Grau Funeral Home's face book page. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Bernadette Margaret Whalen was born December 22, 1924, in rural Dorchester IA, the daughter of James and Nora (Griffin) Larkin. The weather was too cold for the doctor from New Albin to come so her father had to get their neighbor Bridget McLaughlin to deliver her at home. She was baptized and had first communion at St. Mary's Church in Dorchester. Bernadette went to grade school at Harmony Grade School, freshman year was at Cathedral High School in Sioux City, IA, then graduated from Harper Ferry High School in 1943. She then attended Upper Iowa University for three years during the summer for teaching. She taught in rural Waterville for two years before teaching grade school in New Albin until she was married. On September 15, 1951, she married Donald Whalen at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry, IA.

Bernadette was happy being a housewife, raising children and helping on the farm until the sudden death of her husband in 1966. She took over the running of the farm, took a night course in upholstery and turned the home into a shop for a few years, then took a night course in cake decoration. She was busy making wedding cakes for 30 plus years. In the early 1970's, Bernadette became the Activity Director at the Allamakee County Home. She was acknowledged by the county home and by the State Inspectors for innovation and forward-thinking treatment of the residents. Her philosophy was simple; treat everyone as family and find the value within every individual and develop it to the maximum potential.

Bernadette was a member of St. Mary's Lycurgus Catholic Church until it closed and then became a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. She did a lot of volunteering over the years and never wanted credit for anything she did. Bernadette enjoyed quilting, sewing, cooking, and teaching her grandchildren how to read. Her coffee pot was always on and there were always homemade cookies to enjoy. She had an extraordinarily strong faith and never complained about anything.

Survivors include her children: Patrick (Karen) Whalen Lansing, IA, Thomas (Laurie) Whalen of Dawsonville, GA, Joseph (Tina) Whalen of Crawfordsville, IA, and Jerry (Kris) Whalen of Eugene, OR; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by sister-in-law Lee Whalen Dubuque Iowa. She is preceded in death her parents; her husband Donald who died in 1966; a daughter Rita Whalen; a son Dennis Whalen; four brothers: Albert, Aloysious, Michael, and James Larkin; four sisters: Mary Larkin, Dorothy Larkin, Katherine Dean, and Jeannette Vetter.

Honorary casketbearers are the staff at Good Samaritan Society. Casketbearers are Bernadette's grandchildren.