William John BernhardSeptember 8, 1929 - September 2, 2012
Mr. William John Bernhard of Humboldt, SK, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 2, 2012, at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt. He was 82 years of age. William was born on September 8, 1929, to Rochus and Matilda (nee Storch) Bernhard at home on their farm north of Muenster, SK. He grew up there and attended Veronica Country School two miles west of home. William was 16 years old when his dad passed away at the premature age of 58, so he helped with the family farm. For two winters, he worked in a saw mill in Victoria, BC. On October 27, 1954, William married Clara Fleischhacker at Humboldt. Two children, a son and a daughter, were born to them. William and Clara made their home on the Bernhard farm and ran a mixed-farm operation. Farming those days was a way of life, and the whole family got involved with the duties. In spite of hard work, there was always time to go fishing, pick berries, visit neighbours, and get together with family for a picnic. During harvest, there were always those special times when the family joined together for a meal in the field. As an active member of his church and community, William served as a church trustee for a three-year term in Muenster and was also on the planning committee in 1967 for the Muenster Community Centre. In 1981, due to health reasons, he sold his livestock. In his spare time, William engaged in woodworking. In the spring of 1988, he and Clara moved from the farm to Humboldt, where they moved into a new home, with William doing most of the finishing work. He continued his woodworking hobby, creating a variety of items including wooden shelves, picture frames, etc. Many fulfilling hours were spent in his workshop in the basement. He was a creative problem solver and had a unique way of always figuring out how to fix things, either with his woodworking projects or on his machinery. In addition, William loved playing cards, visiting over coffee with family and friends, and watching his grandchildren play hockey, ball and soccer. He also enjoyed fishing at St. Brieux, Lake Lenore, and Greenwater lakes, and going on a few casino trips. In 2009, they sold their house and moved to Fairway Condos in Humboldt, their home until the present. William will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of nearly 58 years, Clara (nee Fleischhacker) Bernhard of Humboldt, SK; their two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren: Regan (Colleen) Bernhard of Muenster, SK, and family, Jeff (Erin) Bernhard and children Kaylee and Teagan, Deena Bernhard (Devin Pilsner), and Tanis (Nathan) Gray; and Nola (Murray) Dagenais of Lloydminster, SK, and family, Breanna (Darrell) Grassl and children Garrett and Andrew, and Cameron (Amber) Dagenais; three sisters: Hedy Buschmann of Humboldt, Evelyn (George) Haeusler of Humboldt, and Eleanor (Alex) Holowachuk of Victoria, BC; sister-in-law, Hedy Bernhard of Alberta; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Rochus and Matilda (nee Storch) Bernhard; three sisters and two brothers: Frieda (Louis Brinkmeier) (Louis) Frank, Alfred Bernhard, Mary (George) Miners, August (Marcella) Bernhard, and Rose (Quirin) Strueby; and by brother-in-law, Art Buschmann. The Prayer Service for William was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 8:00 p.m., led by Nestor Trach and organist Kathy Phillips. Scripture readers were Darrell Grassl and Erin Bernhard and the eulogy was delivered by Albert Fleischhacker. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., concelebrated by Fr. Ephraim Mensah and Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB. Others taking part were: Cameron Dagenais, crossbearer; Jeff Bernhard, urnbearer; Darrell Grassl and Erin Bernhard, scripture readers; Breanna Grassl and Deena Bernhard, intentions; Tanis and Nathan Gray, giftbearers; Magdalen Dagenais and Brian Stomp, eucharistic ministers, Helen Huls and Ursula Klassen, memorial table attendants. Music ministry was provided by organist Dolores Hinz and the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery, Humboldt. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the St. Augustine Parish Building Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt. SK.
