Bernadette Marie Draxler Laurich

Bernie Draxler Laurich, 65, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, at Thedacare Regional Medical Center in Appleton, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 10, 1958, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the daughter of Vernon and Joan (Ehlinger) Draxler. She was raised in the town of Goodman in Marinette County, Wisconsin.

Bernie went to the Goodman-Armstrong Creek Grade School, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Grade School, and graduated from Goodman High School in 1977. Her future husband, Jeffrey Laurich, was in the same class. They started dating their junior year and were together from that point on. She excelled in her art classes in high school, painting primarily with watercolors and acrylics. Playing drums in the high school band enhanced her love of music, specifically rock music. Bernie and Jeff have seen well over one hundred concerts together in their life.

Bernie attended the Printing Program at Fox Valley Technical College from 1978 – 79, gaining employment while still in school and operating the printing press at the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce. The printing industry was very male-dominated then, and Bernie broke down those barriers in print shops in Appleton, Neenah, Madison, and Niagara.

Bernie and Jeff were married on August 23, 1980, at Goodman Park on the Peshtigo River. They settled in Appleton and welcomed the birth of their beautiful daughter, Toni D, on June 20, 1989. Bernie’s experience in printing led to employment at Fox River Paper Company in Appleton in 1996 as a Purchasing Assistant, then as a Corporate Buyer, and finally as a Converting Plant Mill Buyer.

Bernie loved her family and friends. She encouraged and organized get-togethers of cousins, ex-coworkers, and friends. Road trips with Jeff always included stops to visit someone. She was an avid Facebooker. If you posted something she liked, she was very quick with a like, a love, or a comment. She had a huge friends list, and although she had strong opinions about the environment, equal rights, and other things, she tried to keep her Facebook pages free of negativity. As a hobby, she created all kinds of printed items for anyone who asked. She loved the holidays. Her Christmas cards and home decorations are legendary.

Bernie maintained connections with many friends from high school, especially Diane Renkas, Judy Berry, Diane Rafats, Joe Edlebeck, and Drew Leja. She loved meeting former co-workers and friends for drinks and dinner, particularly Beth and Jim, Robin and Becky, and Steve and Kathy.

Bernie is survived by her husband, Jeffrey (also known as Norb) Laurich; daughter, Toni (Justin) Weingartner; mother, Joan Flannery; brothers and sisters: John (Ann) Draxler; Nancy (Kevin) Coonen; Gary Draxler; Cindy (Tim) Stilp; and Joan (Jody) Ruff; step-brothers: Allen (Brenda) Flannery; Randy (Heidi) Flannery; Perry (Marsha) Flannery; and Tim (Polly) Flannery; aunts and uncles: Rena (Ken) Rutlin; Ellen Ehlinger; Mary Ehlinger; Alice Ehlinger; Rosemary (Randy) Slacum; and Jerry Ehlinger. She is also survived by many cousins on both sides of her family and many nieces, nephews, step-nieces, step-nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, to whom she is known as “Auntie Bernie.” She loved attending their events, sharing texts, and telling them stories.

Bernie was preceded in death by her father, Vernon “Sonny” Draxler; stepfather, Terry Flannery; maternal grandparents, Peter and Dorothy Ehlinger; and paternal grandparents, John and Stella Draxler. Also preceding her death are her mother-in-law, Ruth Laurich; father-in-law, Anthony Laurich; and sister-in-law, Janice Laurich.

A Celebration of Bernie’s life will be held at the Goodman Clubhouse, 305 Main St. Goodman, Wisconsin, on January 25, 2025.

Visitation from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Service at 2:30 PM

Bernie’s family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the first responders, EMTs, and firefighters of the Town of Grand Chute and the fantastic ICU staff at Thedacare Regional Medical Center. In particular, we would like to shine a light on Rowdy, Erica, Kat, John, and Dr. Miller for their professional but compassionate care as a horde of Bernie’s family and friends took over the waiting room. We cannot thank you enough.