Bernadette M. (Carney) Surat

Bernadette Mary Surat (Carney) died on January 24, 2009, at home surrounded by her loving family. Preceded in death by her husband, John F. Surat III, her parents: John and Veronica Carney (Harty); her brothers: Harold Carney and Donald Carney; her sisters: Veronica Urdahl and Ruth Phillips.

Bernadette Surat is survived by her daughter: Mary Catherine (Surat) Pfeifer (Minneapolis, MN); her sons: Tom Surat and Maggie (Watertown CT), Jim Surat and Denise (Mason City, IA), Charlie Surat and Jane (St. Bonifacius, MN); her brother: Richard Carney and Joann (Mason City, IA). She is survived by ten grandchildren: Heather (Surat) Kyte and Chris, Katy Bugajewski, Jaime (Bugajewski) Chila and Peter, Andy Surat and Becky, Erin (Surat) Street and Adam, Heather (Goodnow) Hermanson and Scott, Chrissy (Goodnow) Collins and Rich, Joe Goodnow, Tess Surat and Jacklyn Surat; four great grandchildren: Gavin, Lauren, Dylan, Caleb and Gavin as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bernadette was born on August 6th in Mason City Iowa. She was raised and educated in Mason City where she attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and graduated from Holy Family High School, excelling in academics, music and drama. An avid champion of education, she continued her education reading biographies, studying political commentaries and current events as well as analyzing to all styles of music.

Bernadette married John F. Surat III at Mason City’s Holy Family Catholic Church on October 7, l940 and established their life –long home in Britt, Iowa. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2004. Their life-long anchors were God, family, community and country.

Bernadette was a dedicated, hands-on mother who raised her four children to live by Christian principals, to value family, to achieve educational excellence, to give service to community and to find meaningful purpose in life.

Her dedication to her church and community are evidenced by her efforts and extra efforts listed below: a life-long member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, serving as a religious education teacher (13 years); an active member of The Catholic Daughters of America (60 years) holding several offices; a 60-year member of the America Legion Auxiliary serving in several offices at the local, county and district levels; a Hancock County Commodities volunteer (10 years); Britt Community Schools PTA member (24 years); an active Britt Band and Vocal Music Booster (17 years); a Cub Scout Den Mother and the mother of three Eagle Scouts; a member of Britt Women’s Club and the Rebeccas.

She enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, dancing, singing, fishing, golfing and listening to music. She never missed a parent-teacher conference, PTA meeting or any of her children’s music concerts or sport events.

Bernadette was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed by those who love her.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to her alma mater Newman Catholic Schools in Mason City, Iowa where a scholarship will be established in her name.

Funeral services for Bernadette Surat will be held Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt with Rev. Henry Huber officiating. Burial will take place at a later date.

Visitation for Bernadette Surat will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2009 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, where a Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Rosary led by Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.