BERNHARDT, Fred 'Fritz' 1916-2004

BERNHARDT, SCHMEIDER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/21/2009 at 16:40:04

Fred ‘Fritz' Bernhardt

MASON CITY, IOWA — Fred "Fritz" Bernhardt, 88, of Mason City, died Thursday, (Dec. 2, 2004) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services for Fritz will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 N. Delaware Ave., with the Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

Visitation for Fritz will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Mason City and continue one hour prior to service time at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

Fred "Fritz" Bernhardt was born Jan. 11, 1916, the son of Fred and Mary (Schmeider) Bernhardt, in Menomonee Falls, Wis. After Fritz was born, the family moved to St. Ansgar and then to Plymouth. Fritz attended schools in St. Ansgar and Mason City.

Fritz served in the United States Army during World War II in the 5th Armored Division. He drove a one-ton half truck in France, Belguim, Germany and Holland, hauling personnel for a recon unit during all kinds of weather and heavy combat conditions. Fritz served in the American, European, African and Middle Eastern theaters.

During the American Theater, he received the Silver Battle Star and three overseas battle stars. Also, during the European and African theaters, Fritz received the Bronze Star, Purple Ribbon, five battle stars and the Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medal during the Middle Eastern Theater. He was ranked at a TEC 5 Technician prior to his honorable discharge from the service.

Fritz was united in marriage to Betty Barlow on Feb. 9, 1949, in Mason City. They farmed in the Plymouth and Rockwell areas for 27 years. After retiring from farming, Fritz and Betty came to Mason City in 1976. He then went to work for Curries Manufacturing for six years until his retirement.

Fritz was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and also a lifetime member both the D.A.V. and V.F.W. He was a fisherman, and he and Betty enjoyed 10 summers at their cabin at Lake Vermillion in Cook, Minn. Fritz also was a very talented woodcarver.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Mason City; a sister, Ruth Christiansen, and husband, Clyden, of Manly, and several nieces and nephews.

Fritz was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: Hank, Victor, Herman, Gus and Edward, and two sisters, Lydia and Emma.

Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of the arrangements.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

[Globe Gazette]