Known to many as Nitzie, Bernadine Kappes passed away on July 26, 2025. She was 95 years old and was born to Ben and Anna Eschner in Gillett on Dec. 6, 1929. She grew up during the era of the Great Depression and World War II.
While living in and around Gillett, she attended Gillett High School. She was active in the band and was the drum majorette. Because many men were away to the war, she worked on the farms with her father. After graduating from Gillett High School, she worked for a time in the school’s office. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Milwaukee and worked at Johnson Controls.
In Milwaukee, she met Kenneth Kappes, who was training to become a salesman for Milprint Inc. They were married in 1950 and raised four children in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their children attended North Central High School in Indianapolis. They did keep in touch with the Gillett area and had a summer cottage on Kelly Lake between 1966 and 1984.
In retirement, Ken and Nitzie moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona, where they enjoyed living for 26 years. When her husband’s health started to decline, they moved back to the Indianapolis area. He preceded her in death in 2014.
She is survived by four children — Steven Kappes of Whitefish Bay, Jeffrey Kappes of Noblesville, Indiana, Anne Kappes Weber of Roberts, Montana, and Timothy Kappes of Zionsville, Indiana. She is survived by six grandchildren — Alison Kappes Metz, Ashley Kappes Cayo, Kenneth Cole Fullmer, Steven Kappes, Jeffrey Weber and William Kappes. Additionally, she is survived by seven great-grandchildren — Charles Cayo, Scarlett Metz, Brooks Metz, Gage Weber, Benjamin Kappes, Beau Weber and George Kappes.
By her request, there will be no funeral service. Both her husband’s ashes and her ashes will be returned to Gillett.
Bernadine (Eschner) Kappes
