BERNARD HOLMBERG

Mass of Christian Burial for Bernard “Bernie” Holmberg, age 83, of Spencer, Nebraska was Saturday, February 8 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spencer. Burial was in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Spencer.

Military Honors were provided by American Legion Post 78 and Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Spencer was in charge of arrangements.

Bernie died Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva, Nebraska.

Bernard “Bernie” Dean Holmberg, son of Harry and Helen (Shearon) Holmberg was born July 26, 1936 at Lynch, NE. He attended school at Gross through the 8th grade and then graduated from Spencer High School in 1954. Bernie also attended Tech School in Milford, NE. He was married to Carolyn Hargens on August 8, 1970, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spencer, NE. Four children were born to them, Marilou, Monika, Melenda and Miriam. Bernie farmed and ranched in the Spencer area all of his life. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a member of the Boyd County Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He was a Farmer’s Union Board Member and served on the Spencer-Naper school board eight years, four years as President.

Bernie started farming/ranching with his dad at the age of six. They lived on the ranch 12 miles north of Bristow, where they raised Hereford cattle. When it came time for Bernie to attend high school in Spencer, he boarded with Mrs. Ruff and roomed with Leo Johnson. In 1953, Bernie’s parents and sisters moved to a farm six miles east of Spencer. He joined them on this farm in the spring of 1954.

Bernie was drafted into military service in December of 1959. After basic training, he was assigned to the 557 Medical Unit, 7th US Army and his unit was sent to Germany. Due to the Cuban Missile Crisis, his time was extended, and he was honorably discharged on February 22, 1962. While in Germany, the Berlin wall was built and in 1989, via television, Bernie watched the wall come down.

After his marriage to Carolyn, they moved onto the farm east of Spencer and continued with the farming and ranching. In 2001, Bernie and Carolyn moved into Spencer. After Bernie semi-retired they wintered in Arizona for 11 years and continued to remain active members of the Boyd County Senior Center. Bernie never knew a stranger, lived a life full of hard work, fun and stories.

He died peacefully February 4, 2020, at Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 83 years, surrounded by his family.

Survivors include wife of almost 50 years, Carolyn; Marilou (Keith Placek) Holmberg, Luke, Morgan, Toni, and Rebecca of Lincoln, NE, Monika (Gerry) Venteicher, Harry and Hunter of Council Bluffs, IA, Melenda (Leigh) Rexius, Adriana, Logan, Alexander and Liam of San Antonio, TX, Miriam (Jeff) Hull, Brindon and Connor, of Emmett ID, Paul (Denise) Hausmann, Emily, Ashley, Natalie, and Sarah of Spencer, Nebraska; sisters, Rose Marie (John) Kastl, Marilyn (Ernie) Boyden, and Ardith (Dan) Ryberg; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Sharon Holmberg.

The family requests memorials be sent to the Boyd County Senior Center or the Butte Healthcare Center.