Bernetta Gertrude Kahabka, age 94 of Rochester, passed away on November 8, 2012 at Maple Manor Nursing Care.

Bernetta was born on February 24, 1918 at Plum City, Wisconsin, the daughter of Louis and Frances (Gilles) Kahabka. She graduated from Stout Institute and the University of Tennessee. She was a member of the Kappa Omicron Honor Society. She taught Home Economics in schools in Michigan and Minnesota and joined the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Service in 1946. She first served as an Extension Home Economist and later as an Extension Specialist in the Department of Human Environment and Design, retiring as a professor in 1979. Bernetta was known as a true friend to anyone she met.

Preceding her in death are her parents, brothers Joseph, Roy, Arthur and Harry, nephews Joseph Jr. and Richard.

She is survived by her dear nieces and nephew, Nancy Kahabka of Rochester, Yvonne (James) Kulow of Ellsworth, WI, Cleo (Max) Voss of Waubon, MN, Myrna (Robert) Schuh of Alaska, Alice (Neil) Auth of Stockholm, WI, Debra (Arlyn) Knudsen of South Saint Paul, MN, Reeve (Mary) Kahabka of Gilbert, AZ and many grand nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Bernetta will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, November 16, 2012 at Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Bernetta's body will be donated to the Mayo Clinic Department of Anatomy for research purposes.

Memorials are preferred to the Povorello Fund through Mayo Clinic.

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com