Age 81, Bernie passed away Tuesday morning, March 31, 2020, at Rose Arbor Hospice following a lengthy illness. She was born in Joliet, Illinois on July 3, 1938, the daughter of Andrew and Anne Vanisko. After graduating from high school, Bernie worked in physical therapy as a young lady, where she began to develop her loving and caring nature. In Joliet, IL on July 12, 1965, she married Thomas Phelps who survives. Also surviving daughters Kris Phelps, Lynn (John) Hammel; granddaughters Emily and Molly Hammel; “sissy” Karen Cassani; sisters in law Sandy Hopper, and Carla Thomas; brother in law Ron (Michele) Phelps; other cousins, nieces, nephews, and close family friends. Bernie took great joy in baking her Potica cakes and giving them away to everyone. She was known as “Killer” at the Otsego Moose Lodge, and Nana to her family.