Herbert H. “Bert” Devine, of Sussex, passed away on August 27, 2026, at the age of 93. Beloved husband of the late Joyce (nee Scesniak), Bert was the loving father of Kurt, Sue (John) Devine-Simon, James, Judy, Dean (Christine), Sandy (Jeff) Wegener, Catey Barnish, Betty (Doug) Nettesheim and Peter (Patty) Devine. Dear brother of Tom (Sandy), Ted (Maryann), Kay (Jack) Parker and brother-in-law of Jackie Kelly. Further survived by 21 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ida; his grandchildren Samantha, Mark and Joe; and his siblings Bill, Bob, Pete, Theresa, Janice, Marilyn, Dave, Pat, Mike and Dan.
Bert was born September 13, 1932, in Owen, Wisconsin, the 5th of 14 children born to James and Ida Devine. He spent his early years in town until they moved on to the family farm in Owen when he was 8 years old. He attended Poppe School, exactly two miles away. He would recall running home from school to get there in time to listen to his favorite afternoon radio shows.
The Devine family was very athletic, and Bert was no exception. During his school years, he participated in football, basketball and volleyball. It was also during high school that Bert first met Joyce Scesniak, the woman he would later marry.
After graduating from Owen High School in 1951, Bert attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls for two years before entering the U.S. Army. During this time, he began exchanging letters with his future wife, and their love story began. After serving his country for two years and returned to River Falls to complete his degree.
Bert and Joyce were married on June 16th, 1956. They shared nearly 58 years of marriage before she passed away on April 22, 2014.
After college, Bert began his career as a high school history teacher in Birchwood, Wisconsin. They also welcomed their first two children, Kurt and Sue. In 1959 they moved to Chicago, where Jaymes, Judy and Dean were born. A few years later they returned to Wisconsin and settled in Menomonee Falls, where Sandy, Catey, Betty and Peter joined the family. Their family would eventually grow to include 24 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Bert was no stranger to hard work and held a variety of jobs throughout his life. From his early years working on the farm, he went on to make cheese, work for the railroad and teach history. Ultimately, Bert found his best fit in sales. He had a natural ability to connect with people, a quality that served him well throughout his 30-year career with Johnson Controls.
Family was always at the heart of Bert's life, and he had a playful and gentle way with children that generations of the Devine family came to know well. When his children were young, Bert loved singing silly songs to them, like Mairzy Doats and Lavender Blue, a tradition he happily continued with his grandchildren. He was always ready to play a game with the kids, no matter how silly or completely made up the game might be. Bert also had a wonderfully calming presence with his grandchildren.
He was a member of St. James Parish for 55 years. He served on committees, was an usher, a reader, and helped counting money. His many years of involvement at St. James reflected the importance he placed on faith, community and helping others.
Bert’s love of the outdoors began when he was young, fishing and hunting with his brothers. That love continued throughout the years as he spent countless hours on Wisconsin's trout streams. When he was 80 years old, he landed the largest brook trout he had ever caught—a fitting highlight for someone who had spent a lifetime enjoying the outdoors.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 9:30 AM until the time of Memorial Mass at 11:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church, W220 N6588 Town Line Rd., Menomonee Falls. Private inurnment will take place at the church cemetery immediately following Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bert’s name to the church are greatly appreciated.
