Gephart, Bernadette K. – 12/25/46 – 9/19/24
Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Bernadette K. “Bernie” Gephart (nee Zak) of St. Louis passed away peacefully on September 19, 2024 at the age of 77.
Bernie was born in St. Louis on December 25, 1946. A Christmas baby, heaven help anyone that forgot that December 25th was special for more than one reason. She was raised on St. Louis’ Near North Side by her mother Pauline V. Olander (nee Stanecki), stepfather John S. Olander II, and her father John C. Zak.
Bernie graduated from Hazelwood High School in 1965. She then entered the nursing program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond Heights, graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1967.
She spent more than 40 years of her career as an operating room nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, retiring as team head and resource nurse of the orthopedic service in 2015. Bernie was a mentor, teacher and friend to countless nurses, physicians, residents and students during her time in the operating room.
Bernie was proudest of her daughter, Tricia, who follows in her footsteps with a career in medicine as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Unabashedly opinionated and outspoken, one never had to guess what Bernie was thinking. Fiercely independent and incredibly strong willed until the very end, Bernie never backed down from a fight. This was never more true than her victory over non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and in beating all her doctors’ expectations in her battle with a terminal liver disease. Doctors had one opinion of how long she would live. Bernie had another.
Following her retirement, Bernie loved to travel. She, along with her “girls group” of nurses from St. Mary’s Hospital, visited England, France, Scotland, Italy, Ireland, Germany and Alaska. Always outgoing and the life of the party, Bernie loved the company of good friends, great food, cheap wine and expensive scotch. Even in her final months, Bernie continued to liven up family functions in spite of her terminal diagnosis.
Bernie is survived by her daughter, Tricia (Andrew) Sutton and her half-brother, John (Mary) Olander III.
The family wishes to thank the incredible team at McKnight Place that loved Bernie and provided excellent care to her, and BJC Hospice, who provided compassionate care during Bernie’s final days.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Wednesday October 9, 2024 at 4pm in the chapel at St. Mary’s Hospital (6420 Clayton Rd. St. Louis, MO 63117). A Celebration of Life will be held following the Prayer Service at 5pm at Seamus McDaniel’s (1208 Tamm Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139).
A service of Kutis South County Chapel
Our dear friend. You will be missed.
Thanks for your laughter and the kindness you always showed us.
We will raise a glass and drop a few quarters in the slots in your name.
So send some of your gambling vibes our way for a change.
We’ll see you on the other side friend.
Bernie will be greatly missed at the Ullman Family gatherings. May Perpetual Light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace.
Thoughts and prayers for Tricia and Andrew.
Anyone who ever met Bernie, became a better person. I had the pleasure of working with Bernie from 1987 until her retirement. She made me better at everything I did from that point on! I will truly miss her! God Bless her family!!
Just learned of Bernie’s passing. Coincidentally working in the O.R. today with a surgeon she knew as a resident in the early ‘90s. He remembers her well saying, “she taught me a lot.” That’s true for many I’m sure. I knew Bernie in my early years and she was a wealth of knowledge, a great nurse and a joy to be around for after work happy hours. Peace be with her and family.
I didn’t know you very long, but always enjoyed your company. RIP
When I think of Bernie I see her laughing on the boat with some “Holy Cow” beer. She was the “other mother” who welcomed me into her home and family as a friend to Trish and never treated me any different than she would her own child. Some of my best memories are those years and all the laughing we did. Some people play a short but big role in your life and that was Bernie.
Tricia and Andy,
My sympathy for your profound loss.
Bernie was the best at what she knew well, and taught so many who were lucky enough to learn under her guidance.
Bernie, Heaven will host your Christmas Birthday Party!
Peace and love my friend!
Tricia and Andy,
My sympathy for your profound loss.
Bernie was the best at what she knew so well and taught so many who were lucky enough to learn under her guidance.
Bernie, Heaven will host your Christmas Birthday party!
Peace and love my friend!
Rest in peace Bernie. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Bernie was such a loving person and a really great OR nurse! Everyone benefited when Bernie was involved. I worked with her from 1980 to 1989 and truly enjoyed her expertise, professionalism, and best of all – her sense of light heartedness and humor. Rest in Peace Bernie, sweet friend! Much love to her daughter,Tricia and son in law, Andrew. Accept my sympathy. Bernie spoke so highly of you both.
Bernie will surely be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.