Bernadette "Birdie" R. Bouressa

Bernadette "Birdie" Bouressa, age 88, of Kimberly, passed away on April 28, 2023. Birdie was born on May 26, 1934 to the late John Henry and Martina (Van Beek) Kneepkens. She was a 1952 graduate of Kimberly High School. She married Dr. Philip Bouressa on June 1, 1957 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Kimberly and they enjoyed over 64 years before he passed away on June 29, 2021.

She enjoyed sports, especially the Packers, being readily available for 3 needy boys, reading the newspaper front to back, socializing with her many friends, traveling, preparing a family meal for everyone every night, time with her family, especially her grandkids, and being sure to host many gatherings, no matter the event. She was always sure she prepared something everyone liked. She was a snowbird and loved her time in Florida. Many fond memories include water skiing and riding snowmobiles at the cottage, finding what was hidden in “The back of the Freezer”, braunschweiger, cauliflower and raw onions. She was a former High School Cheerleader with a beehive hairdo. She was a High School Prom Queen 2 times, once with dad at St. Paul’s. She loved entertaining everyone from dental colleagues of Philip to her lady friends and even her kid’s friends.

She will be sadly missed by her 3 sons; Terence “Terry” (Julie) Bouressa, Tim (Susie) Bouressa, and Tom Bouressa, 10 grandchildren Amanda, Ashley (Kyle), Justin, Collin (Elizabeth), Philip, Teejay, Owen, Mitchell, Maeghan, and Tucker, 6 great-grandchildren; Caleb, Calleigh, Lennon, Chase, Madeline and Noah, as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Philip, grandson Jason, siblings Joann (Vincent) Burgess, Marie (Francis) Harley, Josephine (Donald) Courchane, John (June) Kneepkens, Alphonse (Dorothy Mae) Kneepkens,  August (Margaret) Kneepkens, Sylvester (Beverly) Kneepkens, and Donald (Jean) Kneepkens as well as an infant brother and an infant sister.

After graduation she worked for Kimberly Savings and Loan. She supported dad by working at a bank in Milwaukee until he graduated Dental School. Then she dedicated herself to being a full-time wife and mother. After the kids got older, she worked at Kimberly Clark.  

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial for Birdie on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Catholic Church, 410 E. Wallace Street in Combined Locks. There will be a visitation at the church before Mass from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. For more information and to express condolences, please visit www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff and nurses at St. Paul Home of Kaukauna for the care given to Birdie the last several years.