Bernhardt, Bessie J. 1929-2005

BERNHARDT, ONNEN, JANS

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/30/2012 at 19:14:11

AKRON, Iowa -- Bessie J. Bernhardt, 76, of Akron passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Akron, with the Rev. Jean Morse officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with the family present after 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home-Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church. Condolences may be sent online to www.carlsenfuneralhome.com.

Bessie J. Bernhardt was born Oct. 28, 1929, in Akron, the daughter of Richard and Ethel (Jans) Onnen. She was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith. She attended school in Akron.

She was united in marriage to Walter "Bud" Bernhardt on Feb. 22, 1953, in Akron. She had a baby-sitting service in her home for more than 24 years, caring for many children in the Akron area. She also answered the telephone for the Schroeder Funeral Home for many years. For the last 15 years, she was living in the Ridgewood Apartments in Akron.

She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She enjoyed baking and cooking. She also enjoyed playing cards with her friends at Ridgewood Apartments. But most of all, she loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include three children and their spouses, Tim and Louise Bernhardt of Akron, Mike and Debbie Bernhardt of Omaha and Kathy and Dan Wiggs of Sioux City; eight grandchildren, Greg Bernhardt and his wife, Lisa of Minneapolis, Megan Bernhardt of Omaha, Luke Bernhardt of Akron, A.J. Bernhardt of Omaha, Allye Howard of Sioux City, Zach Wiggs of Sioux City, Katie Wiggs of Sioux City and Ben Howard of Sioux City; a great-grandchild; two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many friends at Ridgewood Apartments.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Elaine Huls; two brothers, Chalmer and Jerome Onnen; and a daughter, Kristeen Bernhardt.

Pallbearers will be Greg Bernhardt, Luke, Bernhardt, A.J. Bernhardt, Ben Howard, Zach Wiggs, Matt Onnen, Dwight Dirks and Doug Bremer. Honorary pallbearers will be Megan Bernhardt, Allye Howard and Katie Wiggs.

Sioux City Journal
Monday, December 26, 2005
Sioux City, IA