Bernatz, Gerald Davis 1924-2011
BERNATZ, HOLM, HANSON, KNUTSON
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/14/2012 at 12:54:45
Gerald D. Bernatz, age 86, of Decorah, IA and formerly of Chatfield, MN, died Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 12, 2011 in the Recital Hall of the Center for Faith and Life on the upper campus of Luther College in Decorah with Rev. Scott Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah with full military honors.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Thursday, August 11 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Friday one hour before the service at the Recital Hall.
Gerald Davis Bernatz was born on November 4, 1924 to Albert L. and Agnes C. (Holm) Bernatz in Decorah, IA. Gerald graduated from Decorah High School in 1943, Luther College in 1950, and University of Northern Colorado in 1965. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1943 until 1946.
He married Alyce M. Hanson on August 18, 1949 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. They had two children, Michael and Richard.
Gerald and Alyce moved to Eyota, MN in 1950 and to Chatfield, MN in 1952. His early professional years were dedicated to teaching and coaching. He retired from Chosen Valley School District (Chatfield, MN) in 1986 as a Middle School Principle and Athletic Director. The district recognized his years of service by naming the athletic field in his honor.
He was the Twin Cities Luther College Alumni Club Coach of the Year in 1967, a member of the Luther College Athletic Hall of Fame, the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Minnesota Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.
He was preceded in death by his parents Agnes and Albert, brother Durwin Bernatz, step-mother Gladys (Knutson) Bernatz, wife Alyce on May 13, 1991, and special friend Ileen Torvik.
Gerald is survived by his son Michael (Denise) Bernatz of Winona, MN, and their children Greta of Winona, MN and Karl of Buffalo, MN; son Richard (Dodi) Bernatz and their children Benjamin and Hannah all of Decorah, IA, brother Howard (Wanda) Bernatz, and brother Albert Bernatz all of Decorah, IA.
Memorials may be directed to Freedom Honor Flight, www.freedomhonorflight.org
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Phelps Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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