Bernadine Mae (Trebon) Stanford, age 94 years, died peacefully in her sleep on November 28, 2020. Her kind spirit will be greatly missed by family, friends and all who knew her.

Elmer Frederick and Grace Joyce (Corrigan) welcomed Bernadine on February 20, 1926, to join her sister and only sibling Audrey. Bernadine loved to talk about growing up on the family farm north of Littleton, Iowa, and going to the Littleton School. The family moved to Milwaukee where Bernadine graduated from Kings High School. She worked in a munitions plant during World War II. Her parents moved back to Iowa, where they owned a café in Quasqueton. Working there with her parents, Bernadine met her husband to be Donald Everett Stanford. They were married on September 30, 1947. Together, they raised five children in Quasqueton, Donald’s hometown.

Bernadine was a tireless housewife and loving mother. She was always cooking, baking, gardening, or sewing. She worked out of the home at the Independence Mental Health Institute for a few months to help ends meet. Later on, she sold delicious strawberries and hung wallpaper for extra spending money. When her children were older, she worked for the East Buchanan Schools as a classroom aide. Although busy with family and this outside work, she made time to regularly volunteer. Over the years, she was active in the Order of the Eastern Star, the Quasqueton Union Church, Quasqueton Historical Society, and Hospice. After making quilts for her family, she sewed over 500 quilts that were donated to needy families through Project Linus. She could make the most delicious meringue pie in her sleep that would be contributed to fundraisers. She enjoyed playing cards and traveling to visit family and friends. Tracing down and documenting the Trebon and Stanford family trees was a keen passion for her.

She was always ready to listen and support with her generous words of wisdom. She taught her children to take personal responsibility for their actions and to give a helping, non-judgmental hand. Her children are Sandra (Cliff Nelson deceased), Timothy and Sheryl (Turnquist), Beth and Thomas (Driscoll), Valerie, and William. All live in the Quasqueton area, except Beth is in Rushford, MN. There are 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She was proud to live to see 5 generations. Her husband of 64 years, Donald, and her beloved sister Audrey passed before Bernadine. She cared for her sister’s children when her sister died.

Bernadine, or Bud – Buddie as many called her, had deeded her body to University of Iowa back in the 80s. They decided not to take her body and she will be cremated in a private service. The family will hold a celebration of her wonderful life in the spring 2021. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family would accept gladly memorials if sent to Timothy Stanford, PO Box 112, Quasqueton, IA 52326. Donations will made in her name to organizations valued by Bernadine. Her generous, compassionate soul lives on.

Source - https://www.reifffamilycenter.com/