Ernest Herbert Bernard, 93, of Ackley, formerly of Wellsburg, died Friday, July 5th. He was born June 30, 1926 in rural Waterloo to parents Francis (Frank) and Gertrude (Holmes) Bernard.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1943–1946. Ernest sailed on vessels including the SS William Dunbar and USS LST 605 to places such as Guam, Pearl Harbor, Saipan and was anchored in the East China Sea during the Battle of Okinawa. Ernest received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy with several medals, including a Victory Medal.

Upon returning home, Ernest graduated from Iowa State University with his Herdsman Certification. He married Anna M. Andorf on March 9, 1956, at Zion Lutheran Church and celebrated their 60 ^th wedding anniversary in 2016 before she passed away.

Anna and Ernest operated a dairy farm outside of Wellsburg where they lived for over 40 years. He was a Sunday School teacher, church council member, and organist at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. At home he loved playing lively songs on his organ for family and visitors and ended most performances with a little dance. He always had room for dessert no matter how full he was, and really enjoyed playing cards. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Preceded in death by: his parents, Frank & Gertrude Bernard; brother, William (Bill) Bernard; and beloved wife, Anna Bernard.

Ernest is survived by a brother Thomas Bernard; sisters, Rosemary Mally, Elizabeth Lathem and Ruth Rosendale; a son, Paul (Joanne) Bernard; daughters, Beth Carlson and Margie Schenkelberg; grandchildren, Amanda (Wyatt) Miller, Brianna (Brian) Gonzalez, Kayla Schenkelberg and Amber Tennyson;  great-grandchildren, Owen, Evan, Morgan and Brexton Miller; a sister-in-law Evelyn Andorf; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 21 ^st from 2:00-3:00 PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Wellsburg, IA., followed by a Memorial Service.  Burial will be at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Hudson, IA at 6:00 PM with a ceremony to honor Ernest's service to our country.

Phillips Funeral Home, Vinton IA is assisting with the arrangements the day of the service.  The family requests consideration of a donation to Care Initiatives Hospice, Cedar Falls in lieu of flowers.