Harold Bernard

Harold Jerome Bernard (April 4, 1927 – October 16, 2013) Harold was the 2nd son of three born to Florence Wanek Bernard and Sebastian Bernard. His parents were helping the family mercantile business in the town of Mount Carmel, ND near the Canadian border. The family moved to Campbell, MN where son number three, Elmer David joined Vincent Alvin and Harold Jerome to round out the family. During the depression, times were difficult and the boys helped out by picking up coal that spilled out of the trains that ran through town. Harold enlisted in the Navy before his high school graduation from Fairmount, ND. He was a signalman on a tanker during World War II. After the war, Harold attended Mayville College and graduated from St. John’s University in 1951. He moved to St. Paul and obtained a position at the Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Co where he met wife-to-be Nancy Bodley. They lived in St. Paul’s East-Side and White Bear Lake for much of their married life until poor health forced a more restrictive life style. Harold was named Director of Employee Benefits for the University of Minnesota which led to his acceptance to the board of directors of Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Retirement gave Harold the opportunity to return to his first love, playing bridge, which he learned while in college. He also spent much time and effort helping the community preparing income taxes through AARP. Harold’s greatest joy was just being with family. He always spoke about how much he enjoyed the visits with his kids, especially in his later years. His last year was spent at the Deerfield Senior Living Community in New Richmond, WI. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Vincent; son, Jeffrey; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Murrel and Walter Kamppi and good friend Bob Borowske who were all great card players. He is survived by wife of 61 years, Nancy. Also survived by brother, Elmer, of Helena, MT, sister-in-law, Jo of Joshua Tree, CA; children, Rebecca of San Diego, CA, Mike (Diane) of Salem, OR, Greg (Eldon) of St Paul, MN, Steven (June) of New Hope, MN, Peter (Lori) of Hudson, WI, and Mary (Mark) Potter of New Richmond, WI; daughter-in-law, Lori (Wayne) Amacher of White Bear Lake, MN; grandchildren, Caleb, Rachel, Richard, Daniel, Matthew, and Michael as well as great-grandchildren; nieces & nephews, Gary Bernard, Debra Watson, David & Dwight Bernard, and Clyde, Sue, Lynn & Ken Kamppi. Thank you to Ethel Kurtz for a friendship that started at the bridge table and continues to this day. A special thank you to lifelong friend, Mary Borowske, for her wisdom and compassion. Blessings to a treasure chest of great friends over the years wherever he lived. Many thanks to the staff at the Deerfield for helping us with our transition to our new home and for the care provided to Harold. Memorial Service Monday, October 21st (1 PM) at The Deerfield Gables Auditorium, New Richmond,WI. If you wish to honor Harold, a donation to the Deerfield Chaplaincy Fund is suggested or donor’s choice. A private burial with honors will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.