Bernhardt Barbknecht

Bernhardt Barbknecht June 14, 1926 - March 17, 2011

Bernhardt L. "Bernie" Barbknecht, age 84 of Janesville, died on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Janesville Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville with Rev. Dr. Larry Griffin, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the St. John''s-Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Iosco Township, Waseca County. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Janesville, and will continue on Monday morning for one hour prior to services, at church. Bernhardt Louis was born on June 14, 1926 to Bernhardt "Ben" and Martha (Bloedel) Barbknecht in Waseca, Minnesota. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1944. That same year Bernie entered military services in the U.S. Army. He served overseas during WWII as part of the occupation forces. Following his honorable discharge in August of 1946 he returned home and began farming. He was united in marriage on October 18, 1952 to Viola May Dierking at First English Lutheran Church in Faribault. Bernie continued to farm in the Janesville/Waseca area until 1967. He than began a 23 year career with Brown Printing Co. in Waseca. Bernie and Viola resided in Waseca from 1970 until returning to Janesville in November of 2000. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. Bernie was also a life member of Sweet-Sommers V.F.W Post 1642 in Waseca, and a member the Janesville American Legion Post #281. Bernie enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid sports fan. He is survived by his wife Viola of Janesville; by his children Roger (Audra) Barbknecht of Nampa, ID, Holly (Tim) Jewison of Waseca, and Cheryl (Tom) Krause of Janesville; by three grandchildren, Preston Jewison, Garrett (Jessica) Jewison, and Shawn (Jacob) German; by four great grandchildren, Bretton German, Colton German, Aryannah German, and Ryker Jewison; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; by his son Scott and one son at infancy; by his brother Eldred (Lois) Barbknecht. Casketbearers are: Dave Southwick, Preston Jewison, Garrett and Jessica Jewison, Shawn Marie and Jacob German. Honorary bearers are: Ervin Flitter and John "Buster" Kaupa.