Bernard "Benny" Kaiser

Bernard “Benny” Kaiser, age 90 of St. Helena, Nebraska died on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Monday, March 18, 2024 at Holy Family (Immaculate Conception) Catholic Church in St. Helena, NE with Reverend Craig Loecker officiating.  Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in St. Helena.  Visitation is from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, on Sunday, March 17 at Holy Family (Immaculate Conception) Catholic Church with a rosary and vigil service at 6:00 PM.   Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral on Monday at the church.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington, NE.

Pallbearers are his grandsons: Dustin Stefani, Jacob Kaiser, Riley Kaiser, Frank Gade, Alex Gade, Jonathon Vos and Caleb Vos.   Honorary pallbearers are his granddaughters and all of his great grandchildren.

Bernard Francis Kaiser was born November 5, 1933 on the farm in St. Helena, Nebraska to Jacob and Theresa (Schoof) Kaiser.  He farmed all of his life on the home place near St. Helena.  His father passed away when he was five years old.  His older brothers farmed, and when he was 19 years old, he took over the farm.   On September 16, 1958, Benny married Shirley Schrempp at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fordyce, Nebraska.   He spent many years playing baseball and was coach for the St. Helena baseball team, the junior team, and the midget team.   He also bowled many years for the St. Helena Store.  Benny was President of District #57 School Board for many years, and dance manager for the St. Helena Dance Hall.  He was a 4^th Degree Knight of Columbus in Hartington and also a member of the Tri-State Old Iron Association in Yankton, SD.  Benny was also the President of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Council and usher for the church in St. Helena.

He is survived by his wife:  Shirley (Schrempp) Kaiser; seven children:  Brenda (Frank) Stefani, Kelly Kaiser, Dean (Tammy) Kaiser, Judy (Russ) Gade, Dale Kaiser, Beth (Chris) Vos, Chad (Melissa) Kaiser; son-in-law, Steve Zimmerman; 15 grandchildren:  Dustin (Carlie) Stefani, Meghan (Austin) Anderson, Angela Kaiser, Jacob (Tracy) Kaiser, Valerie Kaiser, Sabrina Kaiser, Courtney Zimmerman, Hailey Ridgway, Riley Kaiser, Frank (Amy) Gade, Stephanie (Tim) Lackovic, Alex (Rachel) Gade, Cassy Gade, Jonathon (Megan) Vos, and Caleb Vos; 15 great grandchildren:  Eden Stefani, Kasen Stefani, Lenni Anderson, Boone Anderson, Monica Kaiser, Joseph Kaiser, Addison Bass, Lilly Hamling, Sophia Hamling, Everly Kaiser, Connor Gade, Pierson Gade, Tatum Gade, Caroline Lackovic, and Adalyn Gade; and one sister, Geraldine “Geri” Schumacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Korry Kaiser and Sheila Zimmerman; daughter-in-law, Kayleen Kaiser; and siblings: Andrew Kaiser, Gilbert Kaiser, Lawrence Kaiser, Claire “Dick” Kaiser, Dorothy Schneiders, Wilma Hochstein, and Mary Rose Collier.