Bernadette Germaine Ziller

Bernadette Germaine Victorine Ziller, 80, Overland Park, KS, passed away on January 27, 2018. A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Monday, February 5, at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 6, at Queen of the Holy Rosary, 7023 W 71st St, Overland Park, KS 66204.

Bernadette was born on January 22, 1938 in Charleville, France. Due to the hardships of WWII, Bernadette spent the majority of her childhood in Basel, Switzerland until 1948 when she was then reunited with her parents in Mulhouse, France.

Bernadette worked in her parents’ optometry shop in Mulhouse, but found her passion was with haute couture, and she began working with such notable fashion houses as Givenchy, Dior, and others.

In August 1958, Bernadette immigrated from Europe to the United States with her husband Hans, and infant daughter. They settled in the upper peninsula of Michigan. In 1961, Bernadette and family moved to Overland Park, KS where later two sons would be born, and Bernadette started working in retail at Harzfelds. She continued her career working at the newly developed Crown Center series of retail shops in Kansas City, Missouri under the ownership of Hallmark Cards. She worked for Hallmark for almost 25 years.

Some of Bernadette’s interests were gardening, art, and music. Bernadette’s striking beauty convinced several notable painters to talk her into modeling at the Kansas City Art Institute. Another great passion of Bernadette’s was travelling, and she made many trips over the years back to her beloved homeland, and journeys to other areas of the world as well.

Both Bernadette and Hans were active members of the KC area German organizations, including being members of the court, and selected as the Prinzenpaar in 1993. They often travelled to St. Louis to join the St. Louis – Stuttgart Sister Cities Club in their many cultural celebrations.

Bernadette was a courageous woman who fought her illness battles with strength and dignity. She was liked and loved by her many neighbors, friends, and relatives around the world, and of course her loving family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Madelaine Fuchs-Bonnet and Jean E. Fuchs; her brother, Claude Fuchs; and her aunt/godmother, Victorine Simert Bonnet.

Survivors include her husband of over 60 years, Hans C. Ziller; one daughter, Star Novak of Baldwin City, KS; two sons, Richard Ziller of Overland Park, KS, and Mark A. Ziller of Louisville, KY; as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in Bernadette’s name, or to Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 W 71st St, Overland Park, KS 66204.