January 21, 1938 – May 18, 2024
Bernadine “Bernie” Hickman, 86, formerly of New Buffalo, MI now of Kewaunee, WI, passed away in her home on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Bernie was born on January 21, 1938, to the late Wilmer and Evelyn (Cerny) Lidke.
She was a 1956 graduate of New Buffalo High School and participated in basketball, swimming, and band. Bernie loved the world of hospitality, working at two of her parents’ restaurants (The Rio and Little Bohemia) in New Buffalo, MI. She had fond memories of growing up on Lake Michigan and later relocated to Algoma, WI to her beloved home on the lake near her son and brother. Bernie loved all sports, especially basketball; playing cards and socializing with family and friends; and going out to eat.
Bernie will be sadly missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Lisa Hickman; brother and sister-in-law, Wilmer “Bubb” and Patti Lidke; nephew, Wilmer “Ben” and Sonya Lidke; great nephew and niece, August and Cecelia Lidke; cousins, Debbie DeVos (Brad) and Lynne Lidke (Pam Rose); special neighbors, Tom and Barb Ellingsworth; many other relatives and friends.
Bernie is preceded in death by her sweetheart of 34 years, Emil “Mike” Van Hazebroeck.
Private family service will be held with burial at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo, MI. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the New Buffalo Area Schools, PO Box 280, New Buffalo, MI 49117, Attn: Bison Boosters/Bernadine Lidke Hickman. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at either Blaney Funeral Home www.blaneyfuneralhome.com or Starks Family Funeral Home at www.starksfamilyfh.com.