Bernard John Lempa Sr., 83, died Sunday, February 13, 2011 in Cuero. He was born August 16, 1927 in Five Mile Community, DeWitt County, Texas to the late Vincent and Frances Dudlefski Lempa. Bernard was baptized at St. Michaels Catholic Church by Rev. Teofilo Arana on the 21st day of August, 1927. He married Helen Warwas on February 7, 1946 in Cuero at St. Michaels Catholic Church while serving in the US Navy. They made their home on the Lempa farm in Cuero. Bernard retired from Harkins and Co. after 30 years to enjoy spending time with family and ranching on the farm. He was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 3972. Bernard was a also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1682, the American Legion Dinter Post #3, Order of Hermann Sons of American #36, and DeWitt Co. Farm Bureau.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years; daughter, Dorothy H. Dearing of Versailles, Kentucky; sons, Bernard J. Lempa Jr. and wife, Catherine, of Lumberton, Michael S. Lempa and wife, Debbie, Leonard Lempa and wife, Connie, of Cuero, and Thomas E. Lempa and wife, Sharon, of Victoria; grandsons, Keith Lempa and wife, Lisa, of Buda, and Ethan Lempa of Victoria; granddaughters, Aimee Hardin of Dallas, Kelly Balfour of League City, and Ashley Lempa of Cuero; and great-grandchildren, twins Julian and Jackson Hardin and Kendall Balfour.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Sophie Plasczyk, Julia Pullen, Elizabeth Martin, Mary Danysh, Agnes Foy, Gertrude Melvin, Ann Lempa, Hedwig Grubb, Martha Lempa, Frances Peyton, and Lucy Warwas; brothers, Ludwig Lempa, Frank Lempa, Joseph Lempa, and Nick Lempa; and son-in-law, Paul Wayne Dearing.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 15, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 10 a.m., at St. Michaels Catholic Church with Father Kirby Hlavaty officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Bernard J. Lempa Jr., Michael Lempa, Leonard Lempa, Thomas Lempa, Keith Lempa, and Bob McCurdy, with Patrick Peyton as an honorary pallbearer.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Michaels Catholic Church Building Fund or to the charity of choice.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.