Brunhilde Pollett passed peacefully on April 3, 2021. She will be greatly missed, leaving an empty spot in many lives.
She was born November 28, 1936 to Martin Werner Hoppe and Gertrude Elsa (Newman) Hoppe, both members of the LDS Church. Brunhilde, affectionately known as Bernie, was born in the small German town of Breslau. She was the 2nd child born. She has one older brother, Werner Hoppe, and two younger brothers, Lienhard Hoppe and Norbert Hoppe. Her family suffered great loss during World War II which led to many years of struggle.
In 1943, when Bernie was just a small child, her father was killed serving in the German army while in the Ukraine. Her family was forced to flee their home when their town was bombed, leading to a tumultuous time as a refugee. The family has told many heartbreaking stories of this time.
Bernie met the love of her life in the spring of 1957, at a swimming pool in Salt Lake City. William Gary Pollett proposed to Brunhilde Hoppe and they were married on December 7, 1957.
Bill and Bernie had 3 children, Steven Gary, Debora Ann and Jeffrey Martin. The children fondly remember playing board games, camping and visiting relatives in Utah. Bill and Bernie enjoyed living in 7 different states over the years,
Tragically, their youngest son, Jeff, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1988, leaving an aching hole in Bernie and Bill.
Bernie was a collector of fine things. Bernie loved flowers and has many floral prints and art. She had a green thumb and loved her plants.
Bernie loved to swim and became a member of the Masters swim club and loved swimming in the ocean.
Bernie loved to travel with her family and enjoyed many camping trips with Bill, the kids and a camper!
Bernie loved animals and volunteered to feed wild birds and take care of the orphaned baby birds.
Bill and Bernie enjoyed their many grandchildren. Bernie loved being a gramma so dearly and spent so much time with them. They brought her so much joy. This did not end as the grandchildren grew up and had their own children. Bernie adored her many great grandchildren and spent as much time as she could with them.
Bernie was a two-time cancer survivor, beating Lymphoma and Colon cancer. Bernie was such a strong lady in so many ways. We will miss her dearly and always remember the times we had with her.
Bernie is survived by her Husband, William Gary Pollett, her son, Steven Gary (Didi) Pollett, her daughter Debora Ann (Bradley Palmer) Haug, her 8 grandchildren Sara(Tim) Leisch, Stefanie Pollett, Josh(Kristina) Pollett, Brian(Jodie Brennan) Schwinn, Amanda(Dave) Steiner, Sabrena(Drisan) James, Kelsey Hakes, Alexandra Hakes, her 16 great grandchildren, her brother Lienhard (Janice) Hoppe, her brother-in-law Deon (Linda Schreiber) Pollett, her sisters-in-law, Barbara Geertgens, Darlene Benham, JoAnn Pollett, Donna Daley Hoppe and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the LDS church, 5530 West Venetian Drive, Eagle Idaho, on Saturday April 24th at 11am. To honor Bernie in her love of Hawaii, the family will be wearing Aloha attire, we encourage anyone who attends to dress in their best Hawaiian attire.
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Sue Buie says
April 24, 2021 at 4:38 pmBernie was an amazing, strong woman with a heart of gold!! She has been my source of inspiration to be the best grandma possible. I’ll never measure up, but it’s given me a target to shoot for! .My heart goes out to all of you during this difficult loss of wife, mom, grandma,, great-grandma, sister and friend!! I’ll always remember swimming laps with her at Gillespie pool, sauerkraut and dumplings at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the special time my girls spent with her iand Bill in Hawaii!! Thank you, Berniie, for everything you’ve done for your family over the. years. May you rest in peace and enjoy your eternity! Until we meet again… You will be missed!!