Bernard was born in 1927 and was a native of Little Falls, Minn. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines and turned 18 while fighting at Iwo Jima. Returning to Little Falls, Bernard met his future wife, Mary Martineau. They spent many years in both California and Alaska raising their three children.
Bernard graduated from Foothill College and worked for Pacific Bell in San Jose, Calif., for 19 years. He also worked as an electronics technician in Fairbanks, Alaska, and at many remote Alaska locations that were part of the White Alice Communications System during the Cold War. Bernard and the family relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1973 where he worked for the Anchorage Telephone Utility until 1984. Bernard was also a co-founder of Dahl Realty where he worked as a real estate broker until 1987. Bernard and Mary moved to Oregon upon his retirement and then to Citrus Heights, Calif. He enjoyed many active years in retirement, including walking a few miles per day up until the last few months of his life. He loved going to the nearby casino to play poker and still lived independently.
Bernard is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary; brothers, Leo and Peter; and sisters, Agnes Cytracek, Bibiana Oliver and Ann Marchak. Bernard is survived by his sister, Peggy Bonniwell of Citrus Heights, Calif.; brother, Stanley of Lincoln, Calif.; and children, Kenneth Tandecki of Wasilla, Alaska, Colleen Wehrle of Medford, Ore., and Judy (Dennis) Martin of Anchorage. He is also survived by grandsons, Kristopher Tandecki and Greg (Sarah) Tandecki; and great-grandchildren, Jaxson, Kenneth and Trinity.
A memorial service will be held at Lambert's Funeral Home in Roseville, Calif., at 1 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2018. Bernard will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
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