Deacon J. "Bernie"

Deacon Bernie Kut was born in Chicago on March 24, 1937, to John and Sophie Kut. He was the oldest of four - Norb, Mel and Tim. Bernie attended Five Holy Martyrs Catholic School and became an altar server. He attended St. Rita Catholic High School. A wink on Christmas Eve Mass led to the courting and marriage to Diane and she owned his heart. Bernie and Diane had daughters, Pam and Renee'. As members of Five Holy Martyrs, Bernie was an usher and a member of the Holy Name Society. Bernie started his long standing allegiance with the Knight of Columbus. By trade, he was a lithographer. Bernie moved to St. Gall parish and became involved with school activities along with being an usher and Eucharist minister. Bernie became a permanent deacon on Dec. 6, 1980, ordained at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. His proudest moments were to marry Renee' to Ross Dettman and Pam to Tom Rankin. Bernie was also given the honor to marry nieces and nephews along with baptisms, First Communions and funerals of family members. Renee' and Ross gave him twin grandsons, Matthew and Eric. Bernie was always at the last turn of the twins' cross country meets where he could be heard yelling "Kick it Kid" which led them to victory. Bernie was there for when the twins won all four high school state championships and watch them run for the University of Oregon. When Pam and Tom got married, granddaughter, Jessica and grandson, James Robert (J.R.) along with two great-grandsons, Evan and William joined the family. Bernie and Diane moved to Crystal Falls in 1997 where his ministry at Guardian Angels began. Deacon Bernie was involved with bowling league, CCD, Cursillista, Iron County Clergy, Knight of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, a storm watcher and a victim advocate. In May 2009, Bernie and Diane celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. On Nov. 2, 2010, Bernie was diagnosed with bile duct cancer. Complications due to his treatments caused him to be hospitalized on Christmas Eve 2010 and eventually led to his untimely death on Jan. 16, 2011. Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls and on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Guardian Angels Church. The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Alexander K. Sample, Bishop of Marquette, with priests of the diocese concelebrating. Entombment will be in the Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Ill. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory. Condolences to the family of Deacon Bernie Kut can be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with arrangements.

Deacon J. "Bernie"

March 24, 1937 - January 16, 2011