Dostall, Bernice
Dostall, Brunhilde (Bernice, Bruni) nee Lorfing
May 18, 1943- July 26, 2025Bernice (Bruni) passed away peacefully in her sleep taking her last final breath in the early morning hours on “Saturday July 26, 2025” at “WREN@Chicopee Hospital” in the (“Palliative Care Unit”) at the age of “82 years old”.
Bernice, was surrounded by her loving beautiful, amazing, wonderful, supportive, special family who loved her so very much and was their entire world .
Bernice was their rock, their hero and her family was with her every step of the way to the very end.
Bernice, was the “Monarch in the Family” (centre) that kept the family glued together.
After, Bernice suffered from a lengthy numerous Illnesses over the past 4 long years with pain and suffering over time to the very end the family are incredibly sad and heart broken of their loss but knowing she is not suffering or in pain anymore that she went peacefully is a relief to the family as her wishes was just to leave this earth and to let her go in peace to connect and find her other losses of her other beloved family members to let her set free from pain and suffering any further.
ernice’s, absence has left a big void in her families hearts as they were with her every step of the way to the very end.
The family would like to thank the "Palliative Care Unit” for all the attention they provided to Bruni.
Bernice, was born on “May 18th, 1943” in “Germany” to Adam Lorfing and Pauline Lorfing (nee Ohly)
Bernice, came to Canada with her Parents along with her 3 older Siblings in “January 1949" at the age of 5 years old and they grew up in Kitchener, ON.
Bernice, attended “Margaret Avenue School” and then they moved to Baden, ON where she attended “Waterloo Oxford High School” and then off to “College.”
Bernice, working life began at an “Insurance Company” on Erb Street, Waterloo, ON
As well, Bernice worked at many other “Insurance Companies" and then she moved on to other many places like the “Sunbeam Home”.
After, Bernice's, second Son turned 5 years old, she became a “Devoted, Loving, Stay At Home Mother and Wife”. (Homemaker)
Bernice, made a decision what she thought was best at the time for her and for her family and that was not to return back to the work force as taking care of the family’s home along with taking care of her Sons and her Husband "Hans" was more important to her as he would go out and work long hours to provide for his family full time as a "Brick Layer".
Bernice, still resided in “Baden, ON” where her first Husband “Hans Dostall” built their “Family Dream Home” out in the Country.
Whom Bernice met, loved, and married her beloved first Husband “Hans Ulrich Dostall” in December 1965 and they added two lovely handsome Sons, Michael and James.
Bernice's Sons were her everything, her entire world and she would do anything for them to see that her boys were genuine happy and for them to achieve into anything to succeed and be successful in anything they wanted to do with their own life and to making sure they made good choices to guide them to the right path as best as she could but yet for them to learn from their own mistakes and to be their own individual person as they had their own dreams to follow and their own personalities.
Bernice, would drive her Sons to their recreational activities and cheer them on while watching them grow as youngsters to later in life growing up as respectful, honest, kind, caring, decent and happy young men later in life and for her boys to someday have a family of their very own In the future.
Bernice, was very blessed and so grateful to have raised a happy beautiful, lovely little family of 4 and they all spoked “English and German” in the home.
Bernice, providing much love and care for her Parents who lived with her and her family for many years and then they all decided to move back to “Kitchener, ON” few years later with their family.
They all bought a whole “Semi House” together and all lived right next door to one another in "Kitchener, ON”.
Bernice, took on the role for caring for her Parents again when they were much older as they were not able to care for themselves anymore, do to their age and their health deteriorating as well for many years.
Bernice, was always a caregiver, very dedicated to helping others and volunteering at “Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church” where she was a long time “Member of the Church” including her Parents who had founded, attended, and belonged there for many years.
Sadly, Bernice's, first Husband “Hans Ulrich Dostall” passed away in “May 2005” with his own health battles over their years together that she also provided love and personal care for him to the end and she loved and missed him very deeply just as much.
Eventually, Bernice, found another “Love” again after losing her first Husband “Hans” and she married her second "New Found Love” “John Frederick Vetter” in “September 2012” whom she had known since she was a child.
As, "John" found "Love” for the second time after losing his first Wife to Illness years ago as well and they both truly found love, happiness, laughter, joy and companionship again after they both lost their previous Spouses from their first marriage from following sick.
“Bernice and John” enjoyed many happy lovely, beautiful, sweet amazing, wonderful and fabulous years together, making many new enjoyable special happy fond memories together and they both always got along so well together, until John’s declining health required him to move into a “Senior Retirement Residence” in “2022“.
Bernice, would often visit her Husband "John" as much as she could until her own health eventually deteriorated slowly over the years at first until it progressed further over time and then the family would start bringing her to see her Husband John when she had a good day or Bernice’s family would bring John to her home for surprised visits for them both to see and spend some hours together on special occasions and such as much as they could depending each others health.
Before, “Bernice and John’s” health deteriorated they shared so many things together as “Husband & Wife” and they had the best sweet, lovely life together and they both were very deeply in love with one another as each others “Spouses” and as “Best Friends” for a life time and they would never complain or argue with one another as they were a perfect match made in heaven.
However, this did not end their “Magical True Love Story”.
As, “Bernice and John” had their very own special “True Love Story” of their very own as they continued to talk on the phone on a daily basis, a few times a day, night and always expressed how much they deeply loved and missed one another endlessly and they would both talk how they both wanted to be together, to help one another with their care but couldn't be.
"Bruni's", Husband “John” would end their phone call by telling his Wife Bruni … “I Love You & Good Night…. Call & Talk To You Tomorrow “Mein Schatz”, in “German” which means….”My Sweetheart” as they were deeply in love and were very fond of one another.
"Bruni's", Husband, “John” would continuously say that to her up to the very end he saw her last. John”, always made sure his Wife “Bruni” was well taken care of and helped her with anything she needed or wanted and loved to seeing and making her happy as “Bruni" would do the exact same to her Husband “John” as they were inseparable from one another as they always did things together as Husband & Wife but yet had moments of their own free time as well.
Bernice, was an incredibly special, remarkable woman who was a genuine caring, nurturing thoughtful, generous, loving, kindhearted, dedicated person who loved to help others and would go out of her way to help them and put others first before herself above her own needs and wants.
Bernice, gave from her full heart and she showered her “Family, Friends” and her “Church” with that love.
Bernice, never expected anything in returned back from anyone she knew and loved as she was never a selfish person.
Bernice, loved and enjoyed doing some travelling with both of her Husbands.
Bernice, enjoyed and loved reading, to doing crosswords and search words, watching television to many of her favourite programs, listening to some of her favourite “German Music Songs”
Bernice, also enjoyed having one of her little “Great Grandsons” sing a couple of her favourites in “German “with the help of his “Papa-Ope Dostall”. and then her little “Great Granddaughter” singing “Lean On Me” for the past month of (June 27th to July 26th 2025) to the end.
We are so glad we have these memories saved by recording this all by phone.
Bernice, sung in the “Church Choir” along with her devoted beloved Husband “John”, who would do anything for her and they were so very much involved with their Church, volunteering and both had beautiful singing voices in the "Choir" and that will be missed dearly hearing them sing so proudly and so beautifully.
They enjoyed Dancing to going to Concerts, Theatres/Orchestra at the “Centre In The Square” in Kitchener, ON and going to the “Stratford Festival Events” in Stratford, ON together as the list goes on continuously.
Bernice, was a very dedicate, uplifting, compassionated and understanding woman who loved and enjoyed spending time with her very large extended family and friends from “Church” and where her Husband “John” was staying at this time now to also meeting up with her two older Sisters and friends every Wednesday morning for “Coffee Breaks” at “McDonalds” while taking her small Grandchildren for it as well, while babysitting when they were little back in the day but that stopped later in life as she started not feeling well to continue on the things she used to love to do in life for herself and for others she cared about but she did the best she could.
Bernice, loved to go shopping for all of her family and for herself to doing things with all of her Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren on the side and going out of her way and beyond anyway she could help them out or their Parents and to her other families and friends by any means.
Such As…
Bernice, would be there to pick them up or take them somewhere to dropping them off or just meet up when there was a school event/concert or any kind of recreational events or medical appointments or picking them up from “School” if they were sick and most of the time they could count on her helping and going to places with the family.
Bernice, really enjoyed collecting all kinds of “Porcelain Dolls” over the years in a separate room on a display at her home and she loved to collect “Angels and Fairies” as well.
As, they made Bernice feel safe along with soothing comfort and she loved to share and talk about each one of them to all her close loved ones and friends that took the same great interest as she did in them all.
Bernice, enjoyed all the “Family Traditions” like “Oktoberfesting” on “Family Day” in "October" at many places including the “Concordia Club”, the “Queensmount Arena” and the “Schwaben Club” over the years.
Bernice, also enjoyed watching and going to the “Santa Claus" & "Oktoberfest Parades” and feeding the Ducks and having picnics at “Victoria & Waterloo Park” with her loved ones along with all the other annual yearly seasonal celebrations/special holidays.
Bernice, enjoyed taking walks with others, gardening, and taking care of her flowerbeds along with other yard work and watching the beautiful birds out of her front living room window at the bird feeder she had out for them.
Bernice, enjoyed and loved to cook big homemade meals and to bake for her families their favourite “Traditional “German” meals.
Cooking for her families made her happy and was her happy place in the kitchen and was a pleasure and a delight and she enjoyed having family in for Dinner to making happy fond memories to cherish and treasure on Sundays or any day of the week was a big hit.
As, nothing pleased her more than having a delicious meal with a full belly and having an enjoyable deep sweet conversation with her loved ones and always sending home extra goodies along with them to her Children, all her Grandchildren and her Great Grandchildren.
Bernice, loved the company as she did not like to be alone since her Husband “John” went into a home and when her health started to deteriorate and enjoyed to spending time with her extended family, friends and with her Church Members.
The Family brought in PSW’s 3-4 times a day/7 days a week into her home to the end for 4 years approximately until she was last “Hospitalized” on “June 27th 2025” at WRHN@Midtown Hospital’.
Along, with the help of all her loved ones as her family to care for her and for all her special needs and taking her to all her special appointments & arranging them and doing her errands and the list goes beyond!!!
Bernice’s, Sons, Daughter In Laws, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Great Great Grandchild were all very great importance and incredibly special to her and all played an incredibly significant important role in everyones lives as a remarkably close nit family unit together.
As, Bernice, was enormously proud of them all and loved to share and expressed her love of her family to others.
Bernice, was predeceased by her Parents Adam Lorfing (May 1992) and Pauline Lorfing (1993),1st husband Hans Dostall (May 2005) Brother Richard Lorfing (Dec 2010) Nephew Rick Lorfing (Dec 2023). Brother In Laws Art Balabazuk (June 2005) Grant Rueffer (Sept 2024) Sister In Law Anne E. Jung (Oct 2023)
Bernice, will be great deeply very missed by her surviving loving devoted caring Husband “John Vetter” so very much who always called her his “Mein Schatz”, which means “My Sweetheart” in “German “up to their last day being together before her passing as said earlier on here.
Bernice, is leaving behind so many loved ones who she loved, adored more than ever and she was the best Mother & best Friend to her two Sons, a best Mother In Law & best friend and as a best Mom to her three Daughter In Laws and the best Wife & Friend and best Oma, Great Oma & Great Great Oma you could ever have asked for.
Bernice, was full of life and love and very genuine, caring and she was one of a kind and was a very generous person and she was an easy person to please and to get along with until she got too sick, but she loved to please others.
Bernice, loved to chat with her friends and neighbours.
They helped one another out around the yards doing out outdoor yard work at times.
Every single time they got together it brought joy, smiles and laughter.
Bernice, will be greatly missed by everyone that knew and loved her very much.
“Always Loved , Forever Missed & Not Forgotten”
Bernice, will also be fondly be remembered along with her proud loving Sons Michael, Daughter In Law (Connie) and James , Daughter In Law (Sandra), Daughter In Law (Jacy Côté) who she loved them like Daughters as her very own who she was very closed to each one of them and all shared a very closed bond to one another.
Bernice, also had two Stepchildren, Tim Vetter and Julie Walker (Steve)
Bernice, (Oma) was very proud of “ALL” of her 13 beautiful, loving, amazing, wonderful, beautiful, precious, sweet and devoted Grandchildren and to "ALL” of her 25 beautiful, loving, amazing, wonderful, beautiful, precious, sweet and devoted Great Grandchildren so far. (Great Oma)
They all were world!!!
Bernice, (Oma) was also going to be a “Great Great Oma” for the very 1st time to her “1st sweet, precious, beautiful and loving Great Great Grandchild on the way the next coming months but sadly she passed away before the news was shared to her.
Since then, Bernice, (Great Great Oma) would have had her first Great Great Grandchild who was born on April 04th 2026.
ALL the Grandchildren adored and loved their Grandmother (Oma) so very much and she was so special and so perfect to them all and they called her “Oma” (“Oma Your So Purrrfect”)
They would tell her all the time.
“Oma” loved to spending quality time with them all.
"Oma" enjoyed and loved to teach and play "Crokinole" and doing puzzles, Lego, liked to bake and bake Christmas cookies and colouring Easter Eggs and watching her favourite movies with her Grandchildren along with many other activities.
A very special thank you to some of her beautiful, amazing and wonderful Grandchildren Katrina, Jannelle, Adam and Nickolas (Niko) who also stepped up helping to taking special care of their beautiful, sweet, lovely "Oma" over all the years to the very end as well, in so many ways by all means.
"Oma" was very proud and very much appreciated for all you four Grandchildren have all done for her to helping her make her feel loved, special, comfortable and she loved you all so very much.
"Oma" enjoyed all of your company, help and all the very thoughtful, kind things and gestures you have done for her and all the many beautiful memories you all have shared together with Oma will live on and the beautiful memories will be cherished and treasures always and forever with you all.
Words goes far beyond how she felt for you all and to the rest of all her many Grandchildren.
Bernice, also leaves behind her surviving lovely, beautiful wonderful best two older Sisters “Gertrude Balabazuk” and “Julie Rueffer" who they spoked on a daily basis on the phone together and visited one another when they could as her Sisters didn’t drive so Bernice’s Niece “Diane” would bring them over or a friend of Julie’s named “Linda” to bringing “Julie” to the house or to the Hospital very often to the end as well and Linda is very much recognized and appreciated by all the families and for them all bringing extra goodies and some homemade cooked meals .
To Bernice's Sister In Laws (Eleanor Lorfing.... to bringing her cooked homemade meals, curling her hair and doing her make up at times before Bruni saw her Husband John and looking at old photos at times) and for (Lore Tilley--- staying and sleeping over at nights with her) by coming by to visit and to stay with her always to keep her company and for Bernice not feeling or being alone as they were very close to one another and they “ALL” shared a special close bond with one another with “ALL” these special remarkable lovely beautiful Ladies whose names are all mentioned above as well as many other Sister In Laws & Brother Laws that she also was very closed too.
Also, to several Nieces and Nephews who were also left behind her and to her only “God Daughter/Niece” Deb Southcote.
Would like to give a special thank you to Uncle Uli and Aunt Sandra for staying in touch with Bernice over the years since the passing of her first Husband “Hans” (Hans’s 1st Cousin)
They were still her Family to her visiting her at her home, phoning, chatting and visiting her in the Hospital as they were immensely importance to each other.
Michael Kraus ... The family would also like to give much thanks and appreciation to finding and taking the time to come during your busy schedule coming by to seeing Bernice at her home over the years and visiting with her in the Hospital when not well and being a good close family friend as well and all you have done for her over the years .
Many very special thanks to the wonderful, caring, compassionate, exceptional, loving “Nurses & Staff” and to “Dr Kim “ in the “Palliative Care Unit” at “WREN@Chicopee Hospital” in the (“Palliative Care Unit”) to making his/their Patient “Bernice” as comfortable as he/they possibly could up to her final last days to the very last day putting her needs first for her care and always keeping the family updated on her well-being on a daily basis and so very thrual to us in details and being honest but yet so gentle to us all and caring for the families feelings and such as the words goes greatly beyond to the end of her very last day.
Also, to the “WREN@Midtown Hospital” including “WREN@Chicopee Hospital” who felt like family and treated her and us like family with all the beautiful words they shared to the family before, during, after her passing in such a short difficult sad time within the month and unexpected outcome we were told in the Hospital back end of June 2025 up to July 2025 about her condition coming to an end.
This also includes Bernice’s “Regular Family Doctor” (Dr John Stewart) and to his “Office Staff “of all the things they did for her over several years caring for her needs and having someone come in from “Life Labs” for blood work and urine samples to her home as words goes far beyond.
As well, to all the “PSW’s” and to the other several “Agencies” to all the “Coordinators” in this last 4 or more years of all you have done for Bernice as well as this has been very much been very helpful and very much appreciated what all you have done and the absolute endlessly effort and dedication you have done for her and for her family and to all the “Specialists” she saw over the years and with many tests being done over the years.
PASTOR SCHMIDT & HIS WIFE - A Very Big Thank You—- For your big part as well, coming to see & visit Bernice in the “Hospitals and Phone Calls” with all your “Prayers” & came to both “Hospitals” as we celebrated having “Bernice & John” both “Holy Communion” together as “Husband & Wife” for their very last time together being “Communion” together on July 13th 2025 with cake, refreshments and balloons and for Nellie (Choir Director) and yourself sung your hearts out to 5 beautiful songs with several Prayers with “Bernice & John” and some family joining in to celebrate their last time to be “Communion” together.
A beautiful day and memory to be remembered by us all for sure and we also celebrated her very last 82nd Birthday with her Husband “John” and some family at his “Residence” back in May 2025.
We also celebrated Bernice's Husband John's last 96th Birthday on November 10th 2024 , while she was in the Hospital then but we did not know it would be his last Birthday Celebration for him along with us family as well as Bruni's celebrating her last 82nd Birthday on May 2025 at John's "Senior Residence Home" where he stayed at.
Unfortunately, the family arranged for the Pastor to come by with family along her bedside that morning before her passing but she passed away middle of the night in the early hours of the morning of her passing with family by her side.
Bernice, will be very sadly be missed and loved forever & always & never be forgotten by all who loved her so very much and all the beautiful happy fond memories will be lived on by all who loved her and be kept close to their hearts always and forever to be treasured and cherished.“GOD BLESS”
We all very much appreciated everyone who knew and cared and took their time for Bernice and took time in their busy schedule time to visit her at home and in the Hospitals over the recent years since her battling her many health illnesses she endured to the end along with phone calls and any other way of reaching out to us families by any kind of means of communication and supporting Bernice and for her family and being there for us all for better for worse at this very difficult time we were facing of our great special loved one!!!
Thank you for all your continuous amount of prayers, full support and help along these past difficult 4 weeks of (June 27th 2025 to July 26th 2025) and the past 4 long years with Bernice as you all won’t be forgotten what everyone has done for her and for us family.
It sure won’t be the same without Bernice (Bruni) to keeping the “Dostall Family” connected as one big happy close family and us missing her visits with her and phone calls and her famous home cooked meals & baking that she so much enjoyed to cook for everyone and everything else about her will be deeply be missed as well, big time.
We lost a beautiful, remarkable, full of wisdom, intelligent, inspiring, amazing, wonderful, generous, kind, caring, affectionate, loving, fabulous, unique very special lady to inside and out who is now our beautiful “Soul Guardian Angel Above” who left us all far too soon but she left us all with a huge impact of love and cherished beautiful memories and devotion in our hearts and we trusted her.
Bernice, will always be with each one of us and be held close to our hearts always and forever be with us who she cannot be replaced like no other and she will never be forgotten by us all.
The many happy, beautiful, fond memories will live on inside of us all to hold on too like no other and us sharing this beautiful “Very Long Obituary” about Bernice as the kind of person she was to us all as her family and friends is to keeping some of the sweet precious memories we all shared here alive with us all to treasure and cherish as her family to look back on and too many more not shared on here in our hearts and mind.
“NO MORE PAIN & SUFFERING”
“PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY”
“IN HER SLEEP”
“REST IN PEACE MOMMA BEAR & "OMA”
“WE LOVE YOU & MISS YOU”
“ALWAYS & FOREVER MOM & "OMA" & "NEVER FORGOTTEN”
Bernice will continue to watch over all her loved ones as “Our Beloved Sweet Beautiful Guardian Angel” to taking care of us all in her own kind of way up in Heaven watching over us!!
You are so deeply very missed so very much everyday since you passed and our hearts ache but knowing you are not in pain or suffering anymore is a relief to us all and knowing you went peacefully in your sleep by family by your side is what matters at the end.
As, family we will get through this very hard difficult time together and grieve one day at a time in our own kind of way and to heal hopefully over time but our hearts will still ache deeply for our loss of our dear Mom & Oma but we know we have to continue on living our lives like she would want us too and to move on with our everyday daily life and for us to be happy and to continue on with our own families now making memories with them.
Bernice’s, presence will forever echo in our lives and her spirit will always guide us through and shine through us with our memory of her of her laughter and smiles be with us always.
Though we are mourning her loss very deeply and we are so very sad but we also want to celebrate the full life she lived and loved and the full attention she gave to us all with that beautiful smile and laughter she had with full of happiness and joy she brought into all of our lives.
Bernice’s family was her whole life and she loved her family more than anything so very much.
"NO MORE PAIN"
"NO MORE SUFFERING"
"PASSED AWAY"
"PEACEFULLY IN HER SLEEP"
"REST IN PEACE MOMMA BEAR"
"OMA"
" WE LOVE YOU & MISS YOU"ALWAYS & FOREVER
"MOM & OMA”
“Cremation” has taken place and a “Celebration Of Life” will be held at a later date by the Family & possibility a “Church Service” as well with some close Family.
As, “Bernice & John” belonged to the “Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church” as a “ Devoted Member Of The Church” for a lifetime of many years.’
“IN LIEU OF FLOWERS”
The Family Greatly Welcomes Memorial Contributions Made In Bernices's Honour To Cause Meaningful To Her”
As expressions of sympathy donations would be greatly be appreciated by the family that can be given and through what ever website ….. Of Ones Choice Of Donation Can Be Made To:
1) Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church
2) Parkinson’s Disease Research
3) Heart & Stroke Foundation
4) Brain Tumour Foundation Of Canada
Neurologists/Neurological) Health Charities Canada
5) Diabetes Care FoundationTAKE NOTE:
Late Posting
Posted This Obituary Now
This Obituary was being worked on by Bernice's Daughter In Law Connie and unfortunately do to many unfortunate on going challenge circumstances on with many other family health crisis it was not completed or posted until now for those reasons beyond out of our control at the time to this day and we still are unfortunately.Been a very rough difficult few years into 2025 and again 2026 for our families.
But would like to say since Bernice's passing on July 26th 2025Bernice lost her second Husband “John Fredrick Vetter” in his 97th year unexpectedly on September 11th 2025.
John was Bernice's, Sons Michael Dostall and James Dostall Stepfather and her Stepson Tim Vetter & Stepdaughter Julie Walker (Steve) Father & Her Daughter In Laws Connie Dostall and Sandra Dostall and Jacy’s Cote second Father In Law & Opi & Great Opi & Great Great Opi to all his Grandchildren.
Then, Bernice's oldest Son Michael had a few big massive strokes that left him paralyzed on the left side and other health stuff as well on Sept 02nd 2025 at work & 12 hours later a massive stroke while in the Hospital in ICU & found out he had silent strokes as well through tests prior to these ones unaware but is walking with & without walker. Etc
Long Story ....But will leave it like that.
I know this "Obituary" is so extremely so very long but this is to keep her sweet precious beautiful memories of her alive and her feeling close by to us all to come to read this all when we want too.Thank you for your patience for your time reading and your understanding and appreciation for letting us family doing it this way and by us coping with our own grief with our loss sharing of our loved one.
This is in our own kind of way as a family as part of our own grieving and to heal over time one day at a time for all of our families and friends that knew Bernice and her Husbands “Hans Dostall and John Vetter”
“MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL”
“STAY SAFE & HEALTHY”
"Rest In Peace Momma Bear"
"Oma" "A Life Full Of Love”
“We Love You Always & Forever “
“Her Love Will Stay Forever”
"You Fought A Good Fight"
"To The End”
"This Is Not A Goodbye"
"Mom & Oma""But We Shall See You One Day"
"Soon Again, Mom & Oma"“Sending Out Our Love & Big Hugs"
"To You In Heaven Until Next Time”"We Love You & Missing You Mom”
"Oma"
"So Very Much""Not A Day Goes By That"
"You Are Not In Our Thoughts "
"Always & Forever""We Will Keep Your Spirit Alive"
"In Anyway We Can"
"To Our Heavenly Angel""UNTIL NEXT TIME"
