April 19, 1934 - December 24, 2023
Bernard F. Bernauer, age 89 formerly of Richfield. Preceded in death by wife, Phyllis Bernauer; brother, Reverend Jim Bernauer. Survived by children, Terry (Tom) Breher, Sue (Jim) Casey, Patrick (Kari) Bernauer. Grandchildren, Michael (Lindsey) Breher, Jonathan (Becca) Breher, Sean Casey, Matthew (Marcela) Casey, Lexi (Alex) Hanneman, and Spencer Bernauer. Great-grandchildren, Marshall, Colin, Natalie, and Miles Breher.
Barney served in the Navy for 4 years and graduated from the University of North Dakota. He and Phyllis were married in 1960. They raised their three children in Richfield where he continued to live until 2020.
Barney enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and traveling the world. He had a livelong friendship with Wally Waldorf, for over 80 years. He treasured his time at his cabin in Perham, MN and spending his winters in Surprise, AZ where he had many friends and enjoyed his friendship with Alice Lindgren. He loved card games and was always up for a fun adventure.
Barney was an engineer for Control Data/Seagate for most of his career. After leaving Richfield he moved to Maple Grove. He enjoyed meeting new friends at Havenwood. Many remember him for his pleasant personality and constant smile. As a father he was our rock and hero!
Memorials preferred to Sharing and Caring Hands.
Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
11:00 AM
St. Richard's Catholic Church
7540 Penn Ave. S.
Richfield, MN 55423
Visitation
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
10:00-11:00 AM
St. Richard's Catholic Church
7540 Penn Ave. S.
Richfield, MN 55423
Kari, Pat, Lexi and Spencer,
I’m so sorry to hear about Barney. It’s true that you are remembered by how you made people feel, and every time he walked into a room the whole place lit up. He had such an infectious smile. A very kind, kind man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sue, Terry and Pat and your families,
I’m so sorry for your loss! May you find peace and comfort that he has joined Phyllis in God’s loving arms. Your parents were always so fun and good to me! They raised 3 wonderful humans.
Sue, sending so much love out to you! Hugs my very dear friend. Love you!
Karen (Brunsvold) Johnson
Terry, Pat, and Sue (and your families),
I am so sad about Barney’s passing! He was such a kind, loving, and smart man. My mom, Alice Lindgren, was blessed to have him in her life as a friend and companion for 13 years. My thoughts are with you all.
Lisa Lindgren
Thank you for your kind words and celebrating his life with us.
Love you family!! I will never forget his laugh! Grateful he was my uncle. You had the most amazing father ❤️ Sending you much love from Florida. Wish I could be there in person. Miss you all. Warm hugs.
Thank you for your kind words and celebrating his life with us.
Thank you Monica
He was an amazing man
I am saddened by loosing a wonderful friend. My sincere condolences to Barney’s family. I worked with Barney at MPI, Control Data/ Seagate. He was charming and smart colleague and he will be missed. May God bless his soul.
Mark Ameli
Thank you for your kind words.
He spoke very highly about his work family.
Barney was always a pleasant, smiling, happy man to meet during the work days at the Normandale plant and to see again at the Normandale Old-Timers annual get-togethers. My condolences to all of his family members.
Thank you for your kind words.
He spoke highly of his friends at work
Mr. Bernauer was such a cherished family friend to my parents and so many neighbors in our community. He had such a significant impact to our family. I’m so grateful for the many years of friendship that started as they worked for the U.S..Airforce installing minute man missle bases across the Country and then onto Control Data.
I will always remember the canoe trips with Mr. Marshik, Mr Javor, and Mr. Bernauer and Dad down the Flambeau and Crow rivers.
May God Bless Barney as he blessed the lives of so many others.
Thank you Steve.
We appreciate your kind words and sharing your memories.
The Squires family were a big part of our lives growing up.
Barney was a great guy to work with at CDC. He has a smile that can go a mile.
Thank you for your kind words.
Barney was a great friend through the many years we worked together.
He always kidded me of stealing his house in Richfield, at the time I bought it,
I was unaware of his circumstances, and gave him the best offer I could afford,
and he accepted it. The neighbor boys were a bit upset that my 3 daughter’s had
taken over “their playhouse” which Barney had built over a backyard shed, that
had change to an all girls playhouse. Richfield and CDC-Seagate were a wonderful
time for all of us “Old Timers” through the years.
Thank you for your kind words about our dad and the memories of our old house.
I remember being SO mad at my parents when we moved from that house.
He always spoke highly of his work family.
I think Barney should be remembered as:
– one of the only a few hundreds
– in the whole world of 8.1 billion
– from Minnesota
– pioneered digital storage technology
– from one inch tracking
– to micro inches
– from 1K to 1G storage capacity
– to storage capacity, if fully printed
on paper, stack up to the moon round
trips.
Thank you for sharing your memories.
My dad always spoke highly of you and so enjoyed his time in China with you.
Great memories for him and we have a few souvenirs that he got there.
Sue and the Bernauer Family
Please accept my condolences.
I did not know him but he must have been a delightful person and a loving and caring father and husband.
As I look at his picture, Sue, I can see his DNA in you.
Bob
We are deeply saddened to hear of Barney’s rather sudden passing. Wish we would have gotten more years to have him as a neighbor. He was such a sweetheart, very kind, always so pleasant, a true gentleman and just a joy to be around. Our heartfelt condolences to you Terry, Sue, Pat and all of the family. We’re thinking about you..
Thank you for your kind words and memories.
He did love his time in Surprise. You both were always so kind to him!
Terry and family, so sorry for you and your families loss. Just heard or should say saw it in the Perham paper which I get a couple weeks later since it is mailed to me.Spoke to Jim F. this morning to let him know and he didn’t know either.Barney was a great guy to talk to about family history and glad I got to talk to him a few different times.Maybe will get to run into you this summer. Take care.Carol Furr
Pat Sue and Terry
I am so saddened to read of your father’ death.He was a great friend and classmate from 1st grade thru graduation. I have so many fond memories of him all thru his life. he will be missed by so many.
Mary Thaves
Thank you for your kind words of remembrance and for coming to share the celebration of his life.
It meant a lot to all of us.
Barney hired me as a new grad engineer in the early 80s. I enjoyed our many hours of talking with and learning from him. Such a nice and fun guy to work with. I always knew when the boss got in from small whiffs of cigar smoke drifting over the walls. RIP Barney.
Thank you for your kind words and sharing your memories.
My dad spoke fondly of his work family.
I loved Barney since I was a little girl growing up in Perham. His wife Phyllis was beautiful, caring and I marveled at her constant smile through difficulties. Barney and Phyllis raised 3 outstanding children, starting at a very young age. They have continued to excel in life. Barney can rest with Our Lord knowing he leaves behind a wonderful legacy.
Thank you for your kind words and memories.
We are so grateful that you came to celebrate his life with us.
Our deepest sympathy to Barney’s family. He was such a kind and gentle soul. Very sorry we can’t be there for the service but you should know that his Arizona neighbors shared some fond memories of Barney. They will also miss him.
Thank you for your kind words and memories of my dad.
He was definitely a wonderful man that we were so fortunate to call dad.
I’m one of the Rebischke cousins who live in California. You all moved out to Huntington Beach for a few years and my younger sister and I got to come out and stay there and always had so much fun with your parents and family. Your mom and dad were amazing and were loved by all who know them. We were able to visit them in Minnesota at their home with my parents, Armand and Joan Barasa. Lots of fun memories. My prayers are with you and all your families. Hugs, your cousin Denise Giambalvo.
Thank you for your memories and kind words. We all fondly remember your mom and dad, Armand and Joan. They were such nice people.
My mom and dad had a lot fun with them also.
I am sure there is a big card came going on in heaven now.
We are fortunate to all be part of the big Rebischke family.
I had the pleasure of working with Barney for many years. He was a true gentlemen and a character. Never without a smile on his face. The world is less wonderful without him.
Thank you for the kind forms of remembrance about our father.
He always spoke highly of his work associates.
Terry, Sue, Pat and Families,
My deepest sympathy to your family. Your Dad was such a kind and joyful person.
I have fond memories of spending time with your Dad and your family when we were younger.
May all your wonderful memories bring you all peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Hugs,
Angie (Guck) Wick