George "Bud" E. Bernhagen

McFarland - George “Bud” Bernhagen passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at McFarland Villa, just one month shy of his 95th birthday.

Bud was born on November 7, 1930, in Madison, Wisconsin. At the age of 11, he met the love of his life, Jo Ann Kearny. They were married on July 8, 1951, at McFarland Lutheran Church and shared 65 loving years together until Jo Ann’s passing in 2016.

From 1951 to 1954, Bud served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. After his military service, he worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 25 years. He then joined the Monona Grove School District, where he served as a custodian and bus driver for Maywood School until his retirement in 1990.

Bud dedicated 35 years as a volunteer firefighter in both McFarland and Lone Rock and was a proud member of the American Legion Post #534 for over 40 years.

Known for his humor, love of pranks, and gift of gab, Bud could brighten any room and was always ready with a story (or three). His warmth and wit left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Bud is survived by his children, Dean Bernhagen and Dwight (Desiree Ramos) Bernhagen; grandchildren, Leah (Jake) Poulos and Paul Bernhagen; step-grandchildren, Franchesca (Jorge) Mazariegos Beswick and Massiel Beswick; and great-grandchildren, Paul and Isaac Mazariegos Beswick. He is also survived by his sisters, Judy Phillips and Jeanne Carpenter; sister-in-law, Jeanette Egner; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jo Ann; his parents; brothers, Jerry and Richard Bernhagen; sister, Idella “Peck” Smith; son, David Bernhagen; grandson, Patrick Bernhagen; brothers-in-law, Lee Phillips and Howard Egner; and nephews, Daniel and Mark Egner and Michael Carpenter.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Mike and Sandy Buege, Mike Brennan, Dan Rutz, and Jim Parks for their friendship and support of Bud following Jo Ann’s passing. A special thank you to the staff at McFarland Villa for the time they cared for Bud.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Cress Funeral Home, 5801 HWY 51, McFarland, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Saturday. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon immediately following the service at the American Legion Post #534 McFarland.

For those not able to attend in person, please register at the following link to view a copy of Bud’s service: 

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=e9d34b0e-905e-46f9-998e-3660c1a95e9e

5801 Highway 51, P.O. Box 105, McFarland

(608) 838-0655

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com