Bernadette (Bernie) Marie Gosar wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, master chef, cheese and chocolate connoisseur, and afternoon wine and Izarra sipper passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025 at the age of 91 in Laramie, Wyoming. Born December 7, 1933 to Grace Larre and Gaston Erramouspe, Bernie was raised on a ranch near the Big Sandy River where the wide-open landscape led to a lifelong love of nature and all of its wonders. Even as her memory faded, she could still recall the awe she felt as a child, watching great flocks of sage grouse drift across the fields near the ranch house.
Although nature filled her with wonder, Bernie’s heart belonged to family and faith. Her immigrant parents, who came from the Basque Country, instilled in her a deep devotion to both. She loved each of her nine brothers and sisters, cherished their company and found great joy in raising a family of her own. She loved being a mom and dedicated her life to raising her 10 children. Her devotion extended to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and any child put in her care. Nothing brought her more happiness than listening to a nephew read a story, watching a grandchild play a sport, or attending a niece’s recital. And she arrived at these events with the most amazing treats.
To Bernie, shared food was sacred—and it had to be good. Her food was an extension of her love. She was a chef long before she attended culinary school, and many were blessed by her skill, creativity, and expertise. A shared family meal with good wine was always important to her— it was a moment to connect. But when the laughter of friends, the richness of cheese, the sweetness of chocolate, and the warmth of Izarra mixed, it became something essential. Those gatherings, filled with joy and the simplest pleasures, were where she truly felt at home.
Bernie’s faith was important and helped her define family broadly. To her, friends, neighbors and anyone needing a helping hand were “family”. Guided by the tenets of her Catholic faith, she devoted herself to caring for those less fortunate striving to follow the beliefs and teachings she held dear.
Bernie is survived by nine children, Paul and his wife Maude, Joan, David and his partner Michele, Tim and his partner Jennifer, Gaston and his wife Elizabeth, Pete and his partner Devon, Steve and his wife Lu, Kevin and his wife Jenee, and Jennifer; three sisters Miriam Grace, CSC, Margaret and husband Joe Sellyei, and Grace Mossman; one sister-in-law, Suzan Erramouspe; 20 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bernie was preceded in death by her husband Tony and daughter Grace; parents Gaston and Grace; sisters Catherine Canestrini, and Anne Case, and brothers Pierre, John, Joe, Paul, Phillip and Louis; sisters-in-law Wilma Erramouspe, Barbara Erramouspe, Mary Killian, Angie Gosar, Maxine Gosar, and Betty Gosar; brothers-in-law Richard Canestrini, Roy Case, Joe Gosar, and John Gosar.
In remembrance of Bernie’s life, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church will host a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23rd and a Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24th. Bernie’s family kindly requests that donations be made to the Downtown Clinic in Laramie, Wyoming or to a charity of your choice.
