Deacon Kaiser remembered for a lifetime of generosity and service

Deacon Bernie J. Kaiser, 83, died Nov. 13. He was ordained a deacon of the Diocese of Covington by Bishop William Hughes, 1985, in the diocese’s first class of deacons. He was the husband of Linda Roaden Kaiser, and father to Tim Kaiser and Chris Kaiser, as well as a grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Deacon Kaiser was preceded in death by his parents, his children Sandy Kaiser and Dave Kaiser, sisters Myrtle Vicars and Alvera McMillan and brother Robert Kaiser.

Deacon Bernie Kaiser grew up on Crescent Ave. in West Covington, attended St. Aloysius school and then Covington Catholic high school for half of his high school career before switching to Holmes and graduating in 1960, after which he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Roaden Kaiser, who was introduced to him by friends in high school.

Deacon Kaiser worked several jobs, but landed eventually in a finance company, according to Mrs. Kaiser, helping to form and lead Consumer Credit Counseling, utilizing his professional and personal experience in finances.

Consumer Credit Counseling is a nonprofit, debt relief program dedicated to helping people regain control of their finances and plan for a debt-free future. Father Gerry Reinersman remembers visiting with Deacon Kaiser at Consumer Credit Counseling. “He very much saw his work as a ministry,” said Father Reinersman. He saw in his work, “reducing stress in people’s lives and as a healing ministry for them and their families. He was a good humble soul.”

Deacon Kaiser grew up poor, according to Mrs. Kaiser, and, as such, “he knew what it was like having these needs that people had. He understood that because he had been there. His father was like that, too. Even though he didn’t have a lot, he was always willing to share what he had.”

After his retirement, Mrs. Kaiser remembers Deacon Kaiser telling her that he wanted to become a deacon — and, while Mrs. Kaiser never foresaw herself becoming a Catholic deacon’s wife, having grown up protestant, she noted how God has a “good sense of humor.”

During his time as a deacon, Deacon Kaiser served his home parish, St. Barbara Parish, Erlanger.

“He enjoyed being a husband and a father,” she said, “he had loved being a deacon because he was in a position where he could help people in so many ways.”

Towards the end of his life, Deacon Kaiser suffered from Parkinson’s and Dementia before passing away — while at his visitation and funeral Mass at St. Barbara’s Church, Erlanger, Nov. 22, Mrs. Kaiser recalls how many people came to her speaking of the help and aid that Deacon Kaiser had offered during their lives.

Deacon Kaiser was laid to rest at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Covington. Memorial donations may be made in Deacon Kaiser’s honor either online or in person at services to St. Barbara Church or to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Cincinnati.