Leonard Bernhardt

Leonard Roy Bernhardt lost his battle to cancer on Saturday, April 19, 2014. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family. Leonard, a life-long resident of Ft. Morgan, was 83 years old at his time of death. Leonard was born north of Ft. Morgan on September 5, 1930 to Henry Bernhardt and Edith (Schaffer) Bernhardt. He had an older sister Violet (Bernhardt) Wunsch and older brother Robert Bernhardt. He married his life-long love Esther Miller on September 24, 1950. They farmed five miles northeast of Ft. Morgan for 20 years. While farming, Leonard also worked at Dexheimer Welding as a welder and machinist for 30 years. Additional jobs included owning and operating Bernhardt's Spraying and Fertilizer, substitute teaching in the shop classes at Ft. Morgan High School, and worked as a cattle buyer. He also loved working with 4-H youth and their show livestock so he volunteered as the Wildcat 4-H Club leader for 15 years. After retiring from Dexheimer Welding in 1995, Leonard spent almost every day, weather permitting, enjoying his favorite hobby of golfing with his buddies. He also spent many afternoons at the Senior Center in Ft. Morgan playing bridge and pool with some of his friends. He enjoyed family gatherings at holidays and always kept his family and friends laughing with his jokes. Leonard was a member of the Christ Congregational Church and the Ft. Morgan Elks Club. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Edith Bernhardt, his sister Violet Wunsch, and his daughter Sandra (Bernhardt) Givens. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Esther Bernhardt, his brother Robert Bernhardt and wife Arlene of Deming, NM, his daughter and son-in-law David and Cynthia (Bernhardt) Barnes of Windsor, CO, his son and daughter-in-law Randall Bernhardt and Carrie (Blayney) Bernhardt of Ft. Morgan, his son-n-law Robert Givens of Ft. Morgan. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Chad Givens and wife Jamie of Brush, Drew Givens and wife Wendy of Ft. Morgan, Matt Givens and wife Marci of Ft. Morgan, Angie (Barnes) Thiel and husband Andy of Windsor, CO, Brooke (Barnes) Hansen and husband Colby of Windsor, CO, Michael Bernhardt and wife Kristen of Loveland, CO, Emily (Bernhardt) Dardanes and husband Aaron of Brush, Alex Bernhardt currently working in Tianjin, China. He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and many wonderful brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Memorial services will be held at Christ Congregational Church on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 10:am. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Leonard's name to Christ Congregational Church of Ft. Morgan or the Donor Alliance ( 720 S. Colorado Blvd, Suite 800 N., Denver, CO 80246 or call Abby at 303-329-4747).