Dorothy E Bernett

Dorothy E. Bernett, 81, of Melvina, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Sparta. She was born on January 4, 1945 to Donald and Bertha (Keene) Hagen. She grew up in Pleasant Valley and graduated from Sparta High School. After high school, she attended nursing school.

Dorothy married Bruce Bernett on November 12, 1966 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sparta. They moved to Kenosha while Bruce worked there. They moved back to Sparta for 2 years and in 1977, they moved to Melvina, where Bruce and Dorothy worked their own farm. Dorothy also worked for Sparta Brush Company for over 40 years. 

In her free time, Dorothy enjoyed baking, gardening, canning, and being a homemaker for her children and grandchildren. She and Bruce earned the nicknames, “Grandma & Grandpa Cookie”. 

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Bruce of Melvina; children, Randy (Tabitha) of Cashton, Jimmy (Megan) of Melvina, and Bryan (Wendy) of Sparta; grandchildren, Cole Bernett, Brooke Bernett, Connor Bernett, Jarett Bernett, Ellen Bernett, and Amery Bernett; sister-in-law, Shirley Hagen of Sparta; sister-in law Valerie (John) Rigert of Bristol, Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Ray Callow of Burlington, Wisconsin; as well as many other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Stanley and Curtis Hagen, and her sisters-in-law, Cindy Callow and Virginia Hagen.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at First Congregational Church of Leon, with Chad Cummings officiating. 

A Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta and from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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