Stanley Joe Bernard

Stanley Joe Bernard, 87, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2024, in hospice at his home in Bloomington, MN. He was born October 11, 1936 in Decatur, IL to Stanley Rex and Josephine Bernard. After moving from Illinois at a young age, Stan lived the majority of his life in Minneapolis, MN and was a 1954 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis. He received an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1956 and later attended Mankato State College in Industrial Arts Education.
Stan and "Nita" (Juanita Hein) Bernard were married April 4, 1959. Together, they raised four boys. "Stan the Hardware Man" spent over 50 years in the hardware business, working for Sherwin Williams, Warner Hardware, and True Value Hardware. As a young couple, Stan and Nita enjoyed square and ballroom dancing with friends. He loved to travel as he learned the history of the Old West and visiting old U.S. Army forts. In addition, he and Nita enjoyed many special vacations antiquing their way to and from the Minocqua, WI area over the years. Stan was a kind and friendly man who loved his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids to pieces - he enjoyed and was so proud of each and every one of them and adored being part of their lives.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Billy and David Bernard), sister-in-law (Judith Gruber), and two sons (Brian and Mark Bernard). He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Juanita; two sons, Allan (Waverly, IA) and Jeffrey (Lisa) Bernard (Minneapolis); daughter-in-law, Sarah (Mark) Benesh (Mt. Vernon, IA); grandchildren, McKenna Bernard (Max Grones) (Longmont, CO), Megan (Alex) Cina-Bernard (Minneapolis, MN), Thomas (Sydney) Bernard (St. Paul, MN), Shannon (Leon) Bryant (Bloomington, MN), and Emily Benesh (Iowa City, IA); great-grandchildren, Neveah Bryant, Klaus Cina-Bernard, and Henry Bernard; brother-in-law, Gill Gruber (St. Louis Park, MN) and many other dear relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at Washburn-McReavy Nokomis Park Chapel, 1838 E. Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. (with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and lunch after the service). In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to The Animal Humane Society in Stan's memory celebrating his love of dogs.