Jordan Hernandez-Bernardino

1997 - 2016

Jordan Hernandez-Bernardino

Blessed with a compassionate and loyal spirit, Jordan Scott Hernandez-Bernardino passed away on February 14, 2016, in Sioux Falls at the age of 18. Known affectionately by his mother as "J.Bean," he will be forever cherished.

Jordan was born on May 20, 1997, in Sioux Falls, SD, to Sonya (Heronemus) and Carlos Bernardino. He attended grade school at Longfellow Elementary where he made many long-lasting friendships. During his years at Edison Middle School, Jordan joined the cross-country and track teams. In his free time, he enjoyed attending martial-arts classes and learning to snowboard and longboard.

At the age of 14, Jordan began working during the summers at Bracco, a restaurant in Arnolds Park, Iowa. His summers were filled with fun days in and around the lake where, in addition to working, he enjoyed longboarding, tubing, jet skiing and visiting Arnolds Park Amusement Park. One of his favorite pastimes was riding his jet ski to the middle of the lake to watch the sunset. Each fall, as school started, he would transition to Bracco in Sioux Falls where he worked during the school year. Jordan graduated from Lincoln High School in 2015.

Highly accomplished, Jordan always pushed himself to be better —in snowboarding, longboarding and in his passion for cooking. His sense of humor was infectious, and he was authentic in his concern for those around him. Throughout the years, he taught a number of friends and young people how to longboard and snowboard. Jordan's sense of compassion was the source of his love for animals, including his family's cats, Paco and Rico.

Jordan's devotion to his family was the driving force in his life. His newly-found love of the mountains and hiking, and his close relationship with his brother, Stefan, inspired him to visit Colorado frequently. He was proud of his Mexican heritage, and he valued the time he spent with his grandparents, and his many aunts, uncles and cousins in Mexico. Visits to see his Great-Aunt Merna in Evanston, IL, were spent enjoying the beach and lakefront at the Northwestern University Lakefill.

Grateful for having shared his life are his mother, Sonya Hernandez-Bernardino (Thomas Hurd), Sioux Falls, SD; father, Carlos Bernardino (Esperanza Lopez), Minnetonka, MN; brother, Stefan Hernandez-Bernardino, Bailey, CO; stepsister, Ashlie Hurd, Maplewood, MN, and half-siblings, Carlos and Carmen Bernardino-Lopez, Minnetonka, MN; and grandparents, Carlos Hernandez and Lidia Bernardino, Oaxaca, Mexico. He was preceded in death by his cherished stepbrother, Kyle Thomas Hurd; and grandparents, Stanley and Leanne Heronemus.

To celebrate Jordan's passion for snowboarding, a candlelight vigil will be held at Great Bear Recreational Park Sunday, February 21st at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2016, at the First Congregational Church, 300 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD. The family will be present to greet friends at the church one hour prior to services. All are welcome to attend the celebration of Jordan's life.

Memorials may be directed to Sioux Falls Area Humane Society, 3720 E Benson Rd, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.