Bernadette Lois (Baier) Tolan

Bernadette Lois Tolan, 88, of Luck, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at the United Pioneer Home in Luck on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

Bernadette Lois Baier was born November 14, 1933, to Gerald J. and Marcella J. Baier in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  As an only child, she relished spending summers out of town, on the family farm with her cousins who were like siblings to her; an environment where she developed her immense love of people, and her curiosity and zest for life. She was the true apple of her father‘s eye and her childhood was filled with many opportunities with which she blossomed.    In 1956, with the legendary Vince Lombardi giving the keynote address, she graduated with a Teaching degree from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee.  Later that same year, she married the love of her life, Gerald J. Tolan, in a beautiful wedding held at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. Many children from the Green Bay Park System where Bernie worked summers, participated in the occasion; a true display of how she personally touched people. During their marriage, Bernadette and Gerry were blessed with 7 children..... although Bernie would have been elated with twice that number if fate had allowed.  Dr. Gerald and Bernadette moved to Luck, Wisconsin in 1962 after touring the town to consider purchase of a medical practice for sale.  Wooed by a warm reception from locals and a newspaper article about a big winter carnival, she couldn't wait to start her family life in Luck.  She made many dear friends and became involved in countless activities.  She supported and attended most all of the community events, sports, and school activities (attending even long after her own children had graduated and moved on) and always gave her full attention and devotion to her church and her Catholic faith.  She had a profound love of all people from conception to centennials and had friends of all ages and backgrounds.  She excelled in her careers as an elementary school teacher and a nursing assistant at St Croix Regional Medical Center, but she considered her most important job as Mother, Grand, and Great Grand Mother.  She was always center stage whether making homemade ice cream, packing Santa's pack, baking specialty cakes, or hosting holidays, picnics or any occasion. She was delighted when 3 of her adult children returned to Luck, reigniting some of the family activities she so cherished.  She was always looking to change the world for the better, and she sure did!!

There were many highlights to her life, but some of the most meaningful were family trips and special occasions, her church, contributing to others, to the sick, the old, and the needy, being involved in her community, watching her grandkids play sports, her Green Bay Packers, trips to Green Bay in recent years, and being selected as the Luck Winter Carnival Grand Marshal in 2018.  She was truly a remarkable person who will be so very missed in so many ways.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Marcie Baier, Stepfather Al Vandenbruel, Dr. Gerald J. Tolan, an infant son, special friend Norm Nelson, and many old and dear friends and relatives.  Lives forever changed by her absence are her children: Lisa Marie, Catherine Marie (Morley), Christopher John (Diane), Daniel Joseph (Susan), Gerald Joseph Jr. (Katie), Sarah Marie (Richard), and stepson Stephen Tolan, whom she loved as her own.  Her beloved grandchildren: Brad (Christine) Rasmussen, Ben Sobol, Abby Sobol, McKenzie, Claire, and Grace Tolan, Taylor Horsager, Gerald Joseph III, and Anna Marie Tolan, T.J. (Carli) Richmond, and great-grandchildren:  Braiden, Beckett and Branton Rasmussen. Not to be forgotten, her very hungry and loyal Labrador, Taffeta Faith (Taffy).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Frederic, WI.  Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the Mass.  She will be laid to rest at St. Dominic’s Catholic Cemetery in Frederic following the service.  Please join the family for refreshments and fellowship at the church following the cemetery service.

Pallbearers/honorary pallbearers: Christopher Tolan, Daniel Tolan, Gerald J Tolan Jr., Stephen Tolan, Brad Rasmussen, TJ Richmond, Ben Sobol, Taylor Horsager, Gerald J Tolan III, Braiden Rasmussen, Morley Sobol, Rich Richmond.

The Tolan family would like to thank the staff of the United Pioneer Home and Lawson Manor in Luck, WI, as well as the St. Croix Regional Medical Center, St. Croix Falls, WI and Christian Community Home in Osceola, WI for the wonderful care their mom received.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with the arrangements.