Paul D. “Goose” Bernhardt

Paul D. “Goose” Bernhardt, 83 years of age, of Beatrice, passed away at the Beatrice Community Hospital Friday morning, July 20, 2018. He was born on October 20, 1934, at Dawson, NE to Nick and Letha (Mitchell) Bernhardt. Paul was a graduate of Honey Creek High School in 1954. Paul served in the National Guard in the 134th Infantry from 1954-1965. He was married to Beverly Huettner, and they were later divorced. He was employed at Commodore Mobile Homes for 25 years, in Falls City, San Antonio, TX, and Polco, OK, and Kansas City and McCook. He was then employed by Advance Homes in Rapid City, SD until 1986 when he moved to Beatrice. Paul then married Darlene (Folkerts) Sullivan on May 17, 1986, and worked for the Beatrice Public Schools Maintenance Department for 11 years retiring on August 28, 2002. He was a member of Christ Community Church in Beatrice. Paul belonged to the Saddle Brunk Club and rode in many grand entry parades, and enjoyed dancing, rodeos, traveling, hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and building and re-finishing things. Paul especially enjoyed spending time with his family and sporting activities.

Survivors include his daughter Susan (Richard) Witt of Salem, NE; step children Jeff (Darlene) Huettner of Verdon, NE, Connie (Bob) Taft of Falls City, Gary (Brenda) Huettner of Dawson, Jim (MaryJo) Huettner of Verdon, Gene (Sue) Sullivan and Karen (Dan) Schwarz, all of Beatrice; 27 grandchildren Kelsi (Eric) Kresin, Jodi (Montsho) Wilson, Mitch (Sherrelle) Witt, Weston, Wade and Randee Witt, Jennifer Miller, Brian (Lauralee) Sullivan, Amy (Joel) Sullivan, Mark Sullivan, Trisha (Sean) Clark, Justin (Misty) Gibson, Kylie (Jeremy) Vontz, Eric Schwarz, Alicia, Lee (Alyson) and Dillon Huettner, Nicole (Brian) Rademacher, Jason (Shelby Kreifels, Justin (Julie) Kreifels, Andrea (Landon) Bailey, Miranda Huettner, Michael (Aimee) Huettner, Cord Huettner, Monica, Nathan and Judd Meyer; 34 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and brother in law Edwin (Irene) Folkerts of Beatrice. Paul was preceded in death by his parents Nick and Letha (Mitchell) Bernhardt; wife Darlene (2007); brothers August and Don Bernhardt; sister Linda Nixon; stepson Doug Huettner; brother in law Elmer (Emile) Folkerts; and grandson in law Brandon Miller.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at Christ Community Church with Pastor Dan Martin officiating. Interment will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery. The body will lie in state Monday from 9:00-8:00 p.m. at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 6-7:30 PM, and at the church one hour preceding the service on Tuesday. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 AM Tuesday at the church. A memorial has been established to the family’s choice with the funeral home in charge. Sign Paul’s online guestbook and view his video tribute when completed at www’ghchapel.com.

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.

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