Eugene "Gene" J. Bernhardt Jr.

eugene

Gene’s service’s will be livestreamed below starting at 6:00 PM Sunday and 1:00 PM Monday.

Funeral Mass:

Prayer Service:

Eugene J. Bernhardt Jr., age 76, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on October 28, 2024, in Fargo, ND at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Born on November 18, 1947, in Bismarck, ND, he was the son of Eugene J. Bernhardt Sr. and Magdalena (Roehrich) Bernhardt.

Gene’s early years were spent on the family farm in Braddock, ND. His family later moved to Fargo where he lived until 2004 before moving south for warmer weather. After spending 20 years in Scottsdale, AZ, Gene and his wife Mae returned to Moorhead in 2024 to be closer to family.

Gene graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1966 and went on to earn a degree in Accounting from Dakota Business College in 1972. He began his career as an office manager and accountant at Wesco before owning and operating The Brickyard in Fargo. He later started GB Income Taxes and Bookkeeping, where he dedicated himself to serving clients with respect and friendship until his retirement in 2023.

A proud Vietnam veteran, Gene served in the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, with combat service from October 1968 to May 1969. He was actively involved in several veterans’ organizations, serving as treasurer for the Scottsdale Disabled American Veterans and commander of the West Fargo AMVETS. Gene also participated in the VFW and enjoyed performing with The Motor Patrol for the Fargo Elks at parades across North Dakota and Minnesota. His spirit of giving was evident in the number of disabled veterans he helped over the years.

Gene married Pamela (McGarry) Hartwig in 1971 and they had two children. On July 29, 2018 Gene married Mae (Collado) Bernhardt in Fargo, ND. Throughout his life, Gene enjoyed many family vacations with his children and continued sharing his love of travel with Mae as they explored the world together.

He also treasured time spent at the lakes in Minnesota, having owned places at both Cormorant and Pelican Lakes. His other hobbies included hunting, fishing, playing the guitar, and singing karaoke any chance he got. Spending time with his children and grandchildren was very important to him and he was so proud of each of them.

He is survived by his precious wife Mae; loving children, Emily (Ryan) Keeley and Tyler Bernhardt; cherished grandchildren, Noah Skavhaug, Nathan Keeley, Kaiana Bernhardt, and Kaya Bernhardt. He is also survived by his siblings, Lillian Benesch, Rosemary Ramsett, Marge (Roy) Klinger, Sandi (Rick) Andersen; and many nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Georgina Serio; his brother Francis “Frank” Bernhardt; and his in-laws Federica and Pedro Collado Sr.

Services

Visitation - Sunday: November 3, 2024 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103

701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com

Prayer Service - Sunday: November 3, 2024 6:00 pm

Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103

701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com

Visitation - Monday: November 4, 2024 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103

(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/

Funeral Mass - Monday: November 4, 2024 1:00 pm

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
710 10th St S
Fargo, ND 58103

(701) 237-6063
https://stanthonyfargo.org/

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Guestbook

  1. A great friend, a great man, and my tax guy for over a decade! I enjoyed sitting down with him each year! He will be missed but never forgotten! RIP Gene! Thank you for your service to your country!

  2. Emily, Ryan and Nathan,

    We are so very sorry for your loss. Although we have known you for a short time, we know how close you are as a family and that Gene’s passing is a tremendous loss. Our condolences to you and your extended family.

    Sending Hugs,
    The Zendejas Family

  3. I’m so sorry for the loss of Gene. He was a kind, fun, and intelligent man that will be missed. Cherish the memories. I will send prayers for comfort up.

  4. Uncle Gene, you will be missed. My heart grieves for your kids and wife and your sisters. I hope you are free from pain.

  5. My thoughts and prayers are for Gene’s Family. Gene worked at our business Reile’s Transfer. A very nice & pleasant man. My husband Ken also passed away this year. They are getting reacquainted already! May your wonderful memories ease your sadness and bring you comfort.
    Ginger Reile

  6. Sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. Enjoyed time spent getting to know Gene through Fargo Motor Patrol and our annual fish fry. Good times- he will be missed.

    .

  7. My Sympathy to Gene’s Family.
    Years ago he did my taxes and also sold.me my first hone in Fargo
    He will be missed
    Such a nice guy!
    Bev (Bomstad) Jacobson

  8. Dear Mae, Emily, Tyler and Family, I just finished watching the beautiful tribute you created in Gene’s memory. I am still crying. Gene was a wonderful cousin, he always had a smile on is face. When I look at these photo’s of his life, all I can think is that Gene lived life to the fullest and always enjoyed that life. He was so very proud of his family, and that shows in the photo’s too. Our hearts are breaking for you all, but you can rest assured that your Gene is in Heaven with another smile on his face. Until we all meet again, Rest in Peace, dear cousin; and please kiss all our Heavenly Angels for us. You will not be forgotten. We love you all, Earl and Bev Wenthin

  9. My thoughts of Uncle Gene are filled with joy and sadness. In 1969, while he was in Viet Nam, he took the time to write a letter to a troubled 15 year old girl. He encouraged her to be better, to stay out of trouble and to enjoy being a kid. It took me a while to heed his words but, eventually , I listened. I still have that letter and read it occasionally. It meant so much to me and I’m glad that I shared these very thoughts with him a few years ago. I loved him dearly and will miss him, always. My heart and prayers go out to Mae, Emily, Tyler and the grandchildren.

  10. You took me around the US and it was one of the my best memories of my life. Thank you very much. I wanted show you Japan. I will miss you, Gene.

  11. Gene did our taxes here in AZ for over 20 years. I always looked forward to meeting him at Cracker Barrel to chat over all that paperwork!! What a truly good man! My husband Kip and my sympathies to all that he touched and the loss they are feeling.


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