After a courageous battle with old age, my father-in-law, Bernie Lesnar, died recently, and my wife would like to share a few of her thoughts and memories about her dad with you.

“Praise be Jesus Christ. May all His good blessings shower upon all of you!” is how my father began all his correspondence, whether it be a letter to his parents while in basic training or the cards he sent his children and grandchildren throughout the years, until the day he died on June 27th, 2026. Which, in my heart, was way too soon.

My dad wore many hats over the course of his 88 years of life. His first hat, that of the second son to Esther and John, changed quickly from the youngest son to that of an older brother to eight siblings. With this gaggle of siblings on the family farm, you can imagine the shenanigans they got into. Over the years and over the course of our celebrating his life, we have been told many stories that have made us wonder how any of them survived beyond their youth.

His relationship with each of his siblings ran deep, but it ran deepest with his older brother, Tony. Later in life, they became housemates, travel partners, and a comedy act. My dad and Uncle Tony took many trips together to visit family, and many times over the years they would come to visit us to be a part of our Super Bowl party. Like good soldiers, they would stand at attention during the national anthem, and once it concluded, the ribbing began. We are going to miss their comedy act, but the stories will live on. The third hat my dad wore was that of a soldier in the United States Army. In high school, you study wars in history class, and even though I knew my dad had served in Vietnam, I didn’t know much about his experience there. Whenever I would ask about it, he would say, “I will never tell my children about what I had to do.” I later found out a bit about his time in Vietnam, as he would randomly open up to my husband, who would then share the stories with me.

My dad was always ready and proud to serve his country. In 1990, he and the 452nd Ordnance Army Reserve unit were activated for Desert Storm, and again he wore the hat of a soldier as a Sergeant First Class. A few years after Desert Storm, he retired the soldier hat after serving 27 years, but continued serving as a soldier in a different capacity by being a very active member of the Henning-Shemanski American Legion in his hometown of Grenville, SD. Each year the legion would hold a Turkey Shoot to raise funds for their post. My dad, always ready with a ticket book and pen in his shirt pocket, was the top ticket seller year after year.

The fourth hat, his working hat, was well worn after 30 years with the Milwaukee and Burlington railroad. I remember as a kid going with Dad from time to time to the Webster rail depot when he had the rare opportunity to work in town rather than out inspecting the line. The smell of the creosote in the wood and the creaking sound of the floorboards as I followed closely behind my dad are a few memories I hold close.

In 1968 he married my mom, and although they later divorced, he became a father and put on a hat he would wear forevermore. As he would say, “Four beautiful children, which are my heart and soul.” A sentiment he would later extend to his nine grandchildren.
Over the past couple of decades, my relationship with my dad has deepened and I am going to miss deepening it further. I’m going to miss preparing meals and treats for him. I’m going to miss being his Whist partner. I’m going to miss hearing him cheer on his grandkids at their various events. My dad loved to call everyone to see what they were up to, especially his grandchildren. My dad’s eyes would light up anytime he told me, “I talked to Sierra today!” or “Jackson called me!” He was so proud of all of them, and he loved wearing his grandpa hat.

My dad has touched so many people’s lives and hearts. He has touched mine, and over the past 6 months during our hospital or skilled nursing visits with him, I felt in my heart that he would get better, that he would come home, but his heart and soul had a different home to get to. He left this world the way he wanted, peacefully and with family. Rest easy soldier. We love you and will miss you and your ever-present smile.

Bernie’s obituary can be found at: www.coesterfuneralhome.net/obituarie…