Bernhard E. Johnsrud

Funeral services for Bernhard E. Johnsrud (Bendy), age 83, of Albert Lea will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at East Freeborn Lutheran Church.  Rev. Matthew Griggs will officiate.  Interment will be at the East Freeborn Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by Freeborn County area veteran’s organizations.  Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 15^th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.  To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com

Bendy died Friday, July 8, 2011 at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Bernhard E. Johnsrud Jr.(Bendy) was born on January 23, 1928 the only son of Bernhard and Clara (Stadheim) Johnsrud Sr.  He was a lifetime resident of Freeborn County and was baptized and confirmed at East Freeborn Lutheran Church.  Bendy graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1946.  Bendy served in the United States Air Force in San Antonio, Texas.  On March 30, 1957 Bendy was united in marriage to Donna Lee Davidson at the Methodist Church in Nashua, Iowa.  He held a private airplane pilot’s license and loved to fly over Freeborn County viewing the crops and beautiful lakes on Sunday afternoons.  Bendy was a dairy and crop farmer, seed corn dealer for Golden Harvest, insurance agent for Farmer’s Insurance and he had an eye for “buying” and “selling” cattle.  He was an active member of East Freeborn where he held various positions from president to treasurer over the years.  He was a member of the Elks, VFW, and the American Legion.  Bendy enjoyed hunting, fishing, buying/selling cattle, and watching the wildlife on his farm.  His greatest enjoyment was the time he could spend with his grandsons.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Donna of Albert Lea; children, Ann Marie Quackenbush of Chanhassen, MN and son, Austin; Jeff Johnsrud of Albert Lea and his sons, Beau and  Jacob; and Kara (Nick) Thielen of Aurora, CO and their children, Flint, Brek and Bode; and Jim Quackenbush, and Kelly Johnsrud; sisters, Harriet (John) Menke, Dorothy Magelssen, Cora Arnold, Janet (Herman) Stenga, Barbara Schultz; brother-in-law, Vic Glantz; many nieces and nephews.

Bendy was preceded in death by his parents, Bernhard and Clara Johnsrud Sr.; brothers-in-law, Damon Schulenberg, Deryl Arnold, Joe Magelssen and Leo Schultz; sisters, Lila Glantz and Edith Schulenberg.

Memorials are preferred to East Freeborn Lutheran Church.