Robert Herbert Bernd

Robert Herbert Bob Bernd, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Bob was born in La Crosse on April 30, 1923, to Herbert and Lila (Nerud) Bernd. He served in the United States Army from November 19, 1948 to December 2, 1954; serving with the 101thstth Airborne Division stationed in Albuquerque, N. Mex. and also served as a military police officer. Bob married the former Lois Wurzel, his beloved wife of 56 years, on October 22, 1955, in La Crosse.

Bob was employed at Allis Chalmers, Trane Company, and as a Pinkerton Security Guard. He also served as a crossing guard for State Road School and enjoyed driving his fellow veterans to Tomah and Madison for appointments. Bob also volunteered his time placing flags on veterans graves for Memorial Day. In his free time, Bob enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, spending time with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and going out to eat with his many friends. Bob enjoyed making people smile whether they were a perfect stranger or someone he knew. While living at Hillview Health Care Center for six months, Bob also entertained the staff and residents with his singing and yodeling and made many new friends.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; his four children, Terry (Judy) Bernd of La Crosse, Brian Bernd of Federal Heights, Colo., Roberta (Tim) Korish of La Crosse, and Danny (Lori) Bernd of Thornton, Colo.; ten grandchildren, David (Tammi) Korish, Tim (Tracy) Korish, Jr., Nicole (Willy) Fry, and Jennifer Bernd, all of La Crosse, Tracy (Gene) McCurdy of Onalaska, Nicole and Zachary Bernd, both of Thornton, Colo., Nicolas Austin of Seattle, Wash., Carly (Aaron) Laird of Texas, and Shawn Austin who is serving with the U.S. Marines; and ten great grandchildren, Cody, Kayla, and Kessler Korish, Morgan and Mackenzie McCurdy, Dalton and Domanic Korish, Dylan and Becka Fry and Zachary Bernd, Jr. Bob is also survived by one brother, Bill (Eva) Bernd of Florida; one sister, Betty Wurzel of La Crosse; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Lila; and two brothers, Charles and Richard Bernd.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 9th, at 11:00 a.m., at Asbury United Methodist Church. Rev. Scott McMurray will officiate. Entombment, with military honors, will follow in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to Asbury United Methodist Church or to the Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Program.