Obituaries
Obituary for Bernadine Gappa Zerbonia
Bernadine Gappa Zerbonia, 86, of Peoria, passed away at River Crossing of Peoria on Friday, April 14, 2023.
Born on November 20th, 1936 in Urbank, Minnesota, Bernadine attended Cathedral High School and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. After teaching in Wheaton and Little Falls, Minnesota for five years, she departed for a decade of teaching for the Department of Defense schools in Japan, Libya, Germany and Italy on US Air Force Bases. She married Angelo Zerbonia in 1967 in Aviano, Italy.
Their children are Amy (Doug) in Peoria, Noel (Nancy) in Washington, Tanya in Bloomington and Tommy, deceased. Berne was immensely proud of the children as they worked their way through college.
Parents, Joe and Mae Gappa are deceased, as are siblings Richard, Dorothy and Mary. The Reverend Herbert Gappa, Maryknoll Missionary from Bariadi, Tanzania is still alive in Maryknoll in Ossining, New York. Her grandchildren, who she took great joy in, are Lucas and Madison Guthrie, and Elizabeth, Emily and Elise Zerbonia. Her oldest grandchild, Seth Guthrie, is also tragically deceased. She had new light when her only great grandchild Malcolm “Mac” was born. He always made her smile.
For more than 50 years, Bernadine was an active citizen of Peoria. She taught in District 150 schools as a substitute, was active in Wardcliffe Homeowners and served as an election judge for more than 30 years. She was active in the American Heart Association and WTVP Channel 47 Auctions. She was a foster parent for Catholic Social Services and a participant in foreign exchange students. She was a member of Holy Family Parish for over 50 years.
Berne was an active soccer supporter, an Alpine skier and a classical musical enthusiast. Travel, studying foreign languages and cultures were a lifelong hobby. She traveled to over 50 countries in her lifetime and most recently, she toured China by herself in her 70's. Berne was a diehard Viking fan, soccer mom and wanted the best for her children. She valued Catholic education to the utmost. She was a novice in small theater groups in her early years. She was also extremely proud of her nieces and nephews and their families. Minnesota always lived in her heart.
Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 AM on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, with a one hour prior visitation. Fr. Gregory Jozefiak will officiate and burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria, IL.
Donations may be made to Maryknoll Missionaries in Maryknoll, NY 10545 or Peoria Notre Dame High School.
Friends and family may view full obituary and sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
20
Apr
10:30 AM
- 11:30 AM
Holy Family Catholic Church
3720 N Sterling Ave
Peoria, IL 61615
Funeral Mass
Thursday
20
Apr
11:30 AM
Holy Family Catholic Church
3720 N Sterling Ave
Peoria, IL 61615
Cemetery Details
Location
Resurrection Cemetery & Mausoleum
7519 N Allen Rd
Peoria, IL 61614
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