Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Mon., March 24, 2014 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Duelm for Bernard J. Bermel, age 88, who passed away peacefully at home in Clear Lake. Rev. Virgil Helmin will officiate and burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Sunday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Becker and one hour prior to the services Monday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Bernard was born Jan. 3, 1926 in Randall to Anton and Elizabeth (Kempenich) Bermel. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European, African, Middle Easter Campaign where he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Bernard was married to Shirley Fenske on May 25, 1948 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall. He and Shirley farmed in rural Randall until 1964 when they moved to Corcoran where they owned and operated the 10-50 Club until 1975 when they moved to the Rockford area. There he worked for Vickerman Steel Erection Co. until his retirement in 1991.
Bernard and Shirley moved to Clear Lake in 1994. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Duelm, a charter member of the Randall V.F.W. Post 9073, and a Charter member of the Corcoran Lions Club where he was active for nearly 50 years. Bernard enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, softball, and baseball. Above all else he enjoyed being with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family and his strong faith.
Survivors include his children, Bernie (Deb) of Clear Lake, Gary (Chris) of Mound, Patty (Kenny) Treptau of Becker, Bob (Tam) of Becker, Regina (Dan) Dykhoff of Maple Grove, Mary (Doug) May of Becker and Jackie (Mark) Trushenski of Clear Lake; 26 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; brothers, John, Tony, Henry, Lawrence, Ed, and Matt; sisters, Theresa Kjeldergaard; and great-grandchildren, Dezirae Bermel and Casey Krogstad.
Obituary, video tribute and guest book available online at: www.williamsdingmann.com
