Lawrence "Larry" P. Bernhardt

Lawrence “Larry” Paul Bernhardt, 84, of Rushford, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on the morning of April 7, 2024. Larry was born to Henry and Vivian (Murrell) Bernhardt in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 7, 1939. He grew up in the Nokomis area of Minneapolis and graduated from Roosevelt High School. When he was nine years old, his grandfather purchased a cabin on Gun Lake in Aitkin County, which became the weekend family getaway for decades to come. When he was 12 years old, his mother married Ralph Andrews who took on the role of father figure in his life. Larry credited Ralph’s influence in his life for him becoming a Christian. After graduating from high school, he joined the Air Force and completed jet fighter mechanic training in Texas. Larry was proud of his time in the Air Force from 1959 to 1963. While stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force base near Kansas City, he met Marsha Jensen at the church she attended. They were married June 1, 1963, in Kansas City and moved to the Minneapolis area, where both were employed by Northwest Airlines. During the early years of their marriage, much of their time was spent at the cabin with family, where Larry and his aunt, uncles and cousins became local waterskiing legends, pioneering new tricks to out-do other families in the area. These were some of Larry’s favorite memories, and he enjoyed recounting stories from this time. Larry and Marsha’s first daughter Susan arrived in 1967, followed by Heidi in 1972, and son Michael in 1983. They purchased a home in Lakeville in 1968 and became very involved in their church. For years they ran a church outreach program to kids and families in the Lakeville area. In 1994, they moved to Pine Island where Larry commuted to Northwest until his retirement in 2003. He was finally able to have the woodshop he wanted, and he and Marsha teamed up to construct toys for the grandchildren and birdhouses, etc. In 2004, they purchased 50 acres of beautiful land near Rushford, where they built the house that Marsha had designed and always wanted to build. Larry enjoyed taking care of the property, gardening, hunting deer, and just enjoying the view. He would routinely call Michael to report sighting large bucks in the yard. Larry loved fishing and made trips to northern Minnesota every year that he was able. He loved purchasing multiples of his latest favorite lure and giving them to friends. He will be remembered for his love of fishing, camping, hunting, his ability to fix anything, his competitive nature, his affinity for the latest in flashlight technology, his quick-witted humor that he retained to the very end, but mostly for his mental and physical toughness. In 1998, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and given six months to live. He battled through that time and survived two heart valve replacements. Larry spent the last few years of his life pushing aside his own health to care for Marsha during her decline from dementia. Throughout his life, his faith influenced him to willingly give his time and expertise to help those around him. 

Survivors include his three children: Susie Monte, Heidi (Mike) Toft, both of St. Charles, and son Michael (Rebecca) Bernhardt of North Branch; seven grandchildren: Grace Monte, Andrew Toft, Alana (Derek) Flom, Avery Toft, Ella, Weston, and Evelyn Bernhardt; siblings: Randy (Cheri) Andrews and Kim (Scott) Seman; aunt, Sharon Sorensen; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Marsha. 

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles with the Reverend Tim Stratton presiding. Private burial will follow in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Preston. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. www.hofffuneral.com.