Bernice Mae Garbo

Ft. Myers, FL (formerly of Racine) – Bernice Mae Garbo, 83, passed away in Ft. Myers, FL on Monday, August 10, 2009. Bernice was born in Racine on December 16, 1925 to the late Fred and Pauline (nee: Mattie) Klingenmeyer. She graduated from William Horlick High School in 1943. While at Horlick, she met the love of her life, Sam Garbo. Shortly after, Sam left to faithfully serve our Country with the United States Army 79th Division in the European Theatre during WWII. Upon his return, Bernice and Sam were united in marriage on November 6, 1948 in St. John’s Lutheran Church. Her career in life was being a loving wife, mother and grandmother – a vocation she completely excelled at. Later in life, she enjoyed working part-time for her friend, Carol Pfister, at Pfister’s Flowers. Sam and Bernice retired to Ft. Myers, FL in 1985. Among her interests, she enjoyed sewing, knitting and crafts. Above all, she treasured being in the midst of her entire family. Surviving are her broken-hearted husband, Sam; sons, Dennis and Gary (Dawn) Garbo, all of Ft. Myers; daughter, Linda (Michael) Fox of Racine; grandchildren, Michael (Amy) Garbo, Mark Garbo, Martin (Ashley Cook) Garbo, Sean Fox and Abby Fox; great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Alex and Dominic Garbo; sisters-in-law, Angeline Grimm, Josephine Chovan, Mary Wicklund, Eleanore Klingenmeyer and Monica Garbo-Principe; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. In addition to her parents, Bernice was preceded in death by her grandson, Matthew Garbo; brothers, Harry and Jack Klingenmeyer; and brothers-in-law, Santo and Marshall (Mary) Garbo; Walter Chovan and Bud Wicklund. Funeral services will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Daniel Quinn officiating. Entombment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 11 am – 1 pm. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or to Lutheran High School.