Bernhard "Bernie" L Bahnsen

Bernhard “Bernie” L. Bahnsen, age 71, of Bryant, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at home after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. Cremation Rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 6, 2018 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Miles, Iowa. A memorial gathering will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the church prior to the service.

Bernie was born on December 22, 1946, the son of Bernhard “Ben” and Marcella (Clausen) Bahnsen. He was a 1965 graduate of Miles High School. Bernie served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Bernie married Jan Glunz on September 22, 1973 at the First United Presbyterian Church, Miles, Iowa.

In 1976, Bernie and Jan moved to the family farm south of Miles where Bernie farmed many years before renting out the farmland. Bernie worked 35 years for Feeder’s Supply in Miles, Elvira and Preston. He then worked for several years at Farrell’s in Preston, retiring in 2013. Bernie was a member of the Miles Presbyterian Church where he served as Trustee and Elder. He was also a member of the Miles American Legion. Bernie enjoyed spending time with family and going to their sporting events. He also enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors at country dances and the neighborhood card club.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Jan; two children: Brian (Kristi) Bahnsen of Altoona, Iowa; Kimberly (Jeff) Hartung of Eureka, Missouri; three grandsons: Trey Hartung, Braylon Hartung, and Bane Bahnsen; three sisters, Neirma Jordan, Pauline (Bud) Ferguson, and Bernadine (Gary) Van Kampen; four sisters-in-law: LeMay (Bob) Paulsen, Mary (Don) Wisor, Joy (Lyle) Knutsen, and Diane (Jim) Weiland; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother-in-law, Darleen and Wally Kientopf, and a brother-in-law, Dave Jordan.