Bernadine “Bim” Opal Reyhons
Bernadine “Bim” Opal Reyhons
Ely
Bernadine “Bim” Opal Reyhons gained her heavenly dancing shoes on Aug. 10, 2022, at Hallmark Care Center in Mount Vernon, Iowa, knowing she was loved dearly by her family.
A visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St., SW. Private family inurnment will be held at Rogers Grove Cemetery near Ely.
Bim was born on May 23, 1927, in rural Mount Vernon, on the family farm, the daughter of John and Inez (Hall) Bartosh. She attended Mount Vernon High School and graduated in 1945. She met her forever dancing partner at an ice cream social at Sts. Peter and Paul church, rural solon, and on Nov. 23, 1948, became Mrs. George Reyhons at that same church.
Bim worked at the Gazette for a few years in Cedar Rapids and then in 1954 her and George moved back to rural Mount Vernon, which became their family farm. Here she earned her greatest title of farm wife and mother. On the farm, they grew corn and soybeans and milked cows together many years. She was a partner in all the farming aspects and shared the love of the farm and the cows with George, along with many agriculture awards. During her time on the farm, she became an excellent cook and baker, making kolaches and pocketbooks her specialty for many to enjoy.
Her and George spent many weekends dancing at the Roundhouse in Czech Village and toured the Midwest to many polka festivals. While she was busy milking cows, cooking, baking, or dancing, she still made time to take care of two farm boys, her sons, Gary and William “Bill.”
Bim and George retired from the farm and moved to Ely in 1983 and quickly became valuable members of the community. She and George renovated several houses in Ely, and she became the master painter and stainer in these endeavors. Bim was a member of the Polka Club of Iowa – Cedar Valley Chapter, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ely, Served Congregate Meals, TOPS, Happy Homemakers and Ely Legion Post 555 Auxiliary and enjoyed playing cards with friends and family.
Bim never met a stranger and will remembered for her laugh, her smile, her ability to create a meal with little to no notice and letting no one leave her house without a plate full of goodies, and if you were lucky, included a kolache or pocketbook or two. As time went by, she couldn’t bake like she wanted, but a bowl of candy bars was always on the table, and you couldn’t leave without a pocket full of Snickers. She loved to visit with friends and spend time with her family and being a grandmother and great-grandmother were one of her greatest joys.
Left to cherish her memory and love are her sons, Gary (Nona) Reyhons of Mount Vernon and Bill (Sue) Reyhons of Ely; grandchildren, Robyn Reyhons (Mike) of Sandy, Ore., Amy (Rob) Glick of Solon, Ryan (Amy) Reyhons of Ely, Sara (Aaron) Nost of Lisbon, Jenny (Randy) Shalla of Ely and Rachel (Chris) Moody of Cedar Rapids; great-grandchildren, Ayden, Keaton, and Lennon Stoll, Grady and Carson Glick, Mya, Tyler and Hudsyn Reyhons, Brianna and Kirsten Jones, Jaxon, Jaidyn and Jensen Nost, Alivia Osborn, Zach (Kristina), Casey and Trey Shalla; and great-great-grandchild, Kaylee Shalla; her sister, Norma Kubichek of Iowa City; brother, Richard “Dick” (Marie) Bartosh of Irwin, Mo.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George, after 51 years of marriage; her brother-in-law, Lawrence “Bud” Kubichek; and all of George’s siblings and spouses.
Memorials can be sent to or directly to the family. Condolences can be sent to Brosh Chapel 2121 Bowling St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.