Bernetta Orlena Pickart of Fond du Lac passed away peacefully with loved ones at her side on June 27, 2023, at her Arc group home where she had resided for more than four years. The daughter of Raymond and Elfrieda Pickart, Bernetta and her twin sister Bernice were born into a very loving family on February 25, 1943 in Fond du Lac.

She was raised in the charming rural community of Malone where her parents farmed. Bernetta delighted in life on the farm, and there she began her lifelong love of animals.

Bernetta, along with Bernice, attended St. Coletta's School in Jefferson for two years. Upon their return to Fond du Lac, the sisters began to attend programs at The Arc of Fond du Lac. It was at The Arc that Bernetta's joyous personality began to blossom, and where it became clear she had a precious gift for touching the lives of everyone whose path she crossed. Bernetta also participated in work activities at Brooke Industries for a short time.

Bernetta taught us how to be happy because she took joy in simple things – joy in seeing her family, her sisters' pets and especially, her friends at The Arc. Bernetta gave the gift of unconditional love and expressed her love with a look, a smile and a squeeze. Nothing meant more to Bernetta than spending time with the people she loved. To know her made each of us a better person.

Bernetta also had a passion for jewelry, and loved to make a statement with her armful of bracelets that never went unnoticed by her friends and family.

During her lifetime, Bernetta also lived at the Hinrichs Group Home as well as The Arc Group Home. She was loved and treated like family at both facilities!!! We are forever grateful to these wonderful people!

Bernetta was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Christine, and many aunts and uncles. She is survived by her twin sister Bernice Pickart, her sister Alice Pickart, numerous cousins and many friends.

We will miss her dearly, but we'd never wish her back from her time with Jesus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am Wednesday, July 5th at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bernetta's memory to The Arc Fond du Lac, 500 N. Park Ave., Fond du Lac, WI 54935.

For further details, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud (920) 999-2291 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.