Bernard "Bernie" Winzenburg, Jr.

Bernard Bernie Winzenburg, Jr. 87-year-old resident of Little Falls died Sunday, January 20 at the St. Cloud VA Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 30 at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 29 from 4:00-8:00 P.M and from 9:00-10:00 A.M on Wednesday, January 30 at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls. The burial will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans north of Little Falls. The military rites will be conducted by the Little Falls VFW Post #1112. The Christian Mothers will pray the rosary at 4:30 PM, Parish Prayers at 5:30 PM followed by St. Isadore Knights of Columbus will pray at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Bernard Eugene Winzenburg was born on May 23, 1931 in Little Falls, MN to the late Bernard, Sr. and Hazel (Olson) Winzenburg. He grew up in the Freedhem area and attended country school #66. Bernie graduated from Little Falls High School with the class of 1949. He entered the United States Navy on September 5, 1952 in Virginia. He received his honorable discharge after serving his Country for nine years. Bernard joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1975 and served until 1988. He worked for the following businesses: Opatz Electric, National Bushing, Hennepin Paper. In 1970, he purchased the motor shop from Falls Electric. He operated Bernies Electric MotorService for 10 years in Little Falls. He moved the business to Buckman for the next 20 years. He retired in 1999 and resided in Little Falls. Bernie also drove bus the Pierz School District and Palmer Bus Service for 30 years. He enjoyed flying and piloted his own aircraft for 12 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Knights of Columbus, Little Falls VFW Post #1112, Little Falls Rotary, Little Falls Chamber of Commerce and was a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Karen (Jim) Grundei of Carlos, Becki (Larry) Thompson of Rice, William (Cheryl Ann) Winzenburg of Los Lunas, NM, Joseph Winzenburg of Little Falls and Andrew (Kelli) Winzenburg of St. Cloud; daughter-in-law, Erin Keeley of Duluth; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Keith Winzenburg of Buckman, Joan Cash of Willmar, Marge Erickson of Virginia, MN, Joyce Wilson of California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard, Sr and Hazel Winzenburg; wife, Dorothy Winzenburg; daughter, Cheryl Winzenburg; sister, Jane Plante and a brother, George Winzenburg.