Martin D Bernard

Funeral Service for Martin D. Bernard, "Akicita Pejuta Wicasta" Medicine Man, 77, of Balaton, MN will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD with the meal starting at 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Jesse Larsen, Sr. Catechist John Cloud III, and Pastor Milton Owen officiating. Drum Group will be the Bernard Boys and any other singers. Pallbearers will be All Veterans . Honorary Pall Bearers will be Sam Allen, Lyle Rostad, Smiley Shepherd, Gerald "GT" Thompson Sr., Barry Zephier, Gary Owen Sr., Milton "Nippy" Owen, Butch Felix, Jesse Larsen, William "Bill" Keoke, and Winfield "Jr." Rondell. Interment will be in the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Veterans Cemetery, Sisseton, SD with Military Rites by Kit Fox Society and Gorden Weston Lodge. There will be All-Night Wake Services on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and Wednesday, March 18, 2026, starting at 7:00 P.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Martin Dale Bernard, 77, of Balaton, MN was born on March 5, 1949, to Adam and Mildred (Mireau) Bernard in Peever, SD. He was baptized at St. Mary's Episcopal Church at Agency Village; SD. Martin was raised by Willy and Harold Bernard and grew up around the Pickeral Lake Area. He was at the Tekakwitha Orphanage, then went to Wahpeton Indian School, then graduated from the Flandreau Indian School. He joined the Army and served from 1968-1971 as a Combat Medic. He was awarded National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal w/3 Bronze Service Stars, Combat Medical Badge, Sharpshooter Badge w/Rifle Bar, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device (1960), and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation. After the Army he came back to Sisseton, SD and married Marie Renville. Later he moved to Flandreau, SD and married Darlene Allen. After Darlene passed away, he moved to Winona and Balaton, MN and was married to Linda Duran. Linda passed away and he remained in Balaton. During his adult life he attended University of Minnesota of Morris and Sioux Falls College.

He worked at the Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, SD, Indian Health Services in Sisseton, SD, was the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Police Chief in the late 1970's early 1980's. He owned his own businesses: cleaning and janitorial services. He enjoyed building points on his casino cards, going to POW WOW's, bowling, fishing on Pickeral Lake, gardening, and doing different arts and crafts. He and Linda did the sculpture at Tekakwitha Park, and a few others located in Minnesota. Martin was a member of the American Indian Veterans Organization, he started and was the Commander of the Gordon Weston Lodge in Flandreau, SD, member to the NAVA (Native American Veteran Association) and always helped with the Toys for Tots.

Martin is survived by his daughters Leanna Bernard and Lolita Renville; son Jay Renville; grandchildren DeSean (Rayanna) Bernard-Antell, Mason Shepherd, Peyton Bernard, Blake Bernard, Drew Bernard, and Jazmin Renville; great grandchildren Sabastian Shepherd and Aleena Noelle Renville; brother Randy Bernard and Family; sisters Helena Thompson and Family, Leona Jones and Family; Gina Williams and Family; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Adam and Mildred; daughter Teanna Bernard; brothers Nathanial "Tuffy" Aadland and David Mireau; wives Darlene and Linda.