Bernard Anthony Voegtle

Cherishing the Memory of Bernard Anthony Voegtle

Bernie was born April 25, 1952 in Elmhurst Illinois to the late Bernard and Kathleen (Charlton) Voegtle and was called Home on October 28, 2025 after living with cancer. Bernie spent most of his childhood years in Lombard Illinois, graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary School in 1966 and graduated from Montini Catholic High School in Lombard in 1970. After high school he served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy with over 4 years of service to our country. He worked at Chicago Northwestern Railroad in Melrose Park Illinois for several years, spent many years as a machinist on the taconite bulk carriers on the Great Lakes and most recently, prior to his passing, worked for Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home and Crematory in Superior for the last 20 years.

He moved to the Superior/Duluth area in 1993 where he met and married the love of his life, Lora Lee … affectionately called by Bernie, “my Lollie Boegtle”. Bernie and Lora Lee worked together at the crematory alongside coworkers who, through the years, became very dear and lifelong friends.

Bernie’s relationship with his Lord was central in his life; morning Mass and the Eucharist were his spiritual food. “God, caffeine and nicotine” became his morning ritual. Bernie’s Catholic faith and family were especially important to him; it is what guided his daily life and was the foundation of the love he shared with others. He made positive ripples in the lives of others in his daily interactions. “Love and tolerance” is the code he lived.

Recovery was very important to Bernie, and he was very active in Alcoholic Anonymous. He sponsored many others to achieve sobriety. He would travel to many meetings outside of the area. One weekly meeting he attended was “The Garage Dogs” men’s group located in Crystal. MN. He formed many lifelong friendships with the members there and within the Twin Ports. He helped form a men’s meeting group in Superior called “The Lost Dogs” and members from both groups traveled regularly to meet.

As a family, in the time we have recently spent with Bernie’s crematory and funeral home family, through stories shared, it has become very evident that Bernie was “an instrument for God”. “He has changed lives profoundly, and has impacted the lives and sobriety of many people.” We refer to them as Bernie’s RIPPLES…we spoke at length with Bernie about the ‘ripples’ his life has created and the ripples his time here on earth will continue to create, for years to come. From a dear friend … “For me personally, I know, undoubtedly that Bernie was an instrument for God and changed my life and my heart profoundly and continues to do so.”

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Anthony Voegtle, Angela Stringini-Wiggins, Nicholas Voegtle and Alfred Jeremy Voegtle; his grandchildren: Anthony Stringini-Wiggins and Gino Wiggins; his siblings: Kate (Jim) Dottenwhy, Dolly (Bruce) Burlage, Timothy Voegtle, Mary (Bill) Bibby, Annette Cozzi, Jeanne (Robert) Gimenez, Christine Nelson and Eileen Voegtle; many loving nieces and nephews; very special friends; step-children: Michael and Jamie; step-grandchildren: Azarya, Nashiya, Malayza and Bastian; and step-great-grandchildren.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Kathleen Voegtle, his wife, Lora Lee Voegtle, angel nieces Jessica and Jennifer, angel great-niece Morgan and his great-nephew, Finley.

Bernie’s family wishes to thank Fr. Andrew Ricci, Dr. Todd Freeman, the exceptionally caring staff on 2 West at St. Lukes Hospital and most sincerely, Bernie’s family of dear friends at Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Superior for their love, compassion and unwavering support.

Rest in peace dear brother!