Obit: Bernklau, Harold L. (1928 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bernklau, Kuehni, Larrabee, Plombon, Rogalski, Sloboda, Turner, Weyenberg

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 5/15/2014

Bernklau, Harold L. (10 JUL 1928 - 1 MAY 2014)

Harold L. Bernklau, age 85, of the town of Delmar, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 1, 2014, with his family by his side, after a short struggle with leukemia.

Harold was born on July 10, 1928 on the home farm to the late Frank and Clara (Kuehni) Bernklau. Attending area schools, he graduated from Stanley High School in 1945. He moved to Cudahy to work at the Ladish Corp. until he was called home by his father to continue the farming tradition on the home farm.

On June 17, 1950, he married the love of his life, Olga Sloboda, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Stanley. They farmed from 1950 until Harold sold the cattle in 1963. From 1955 to 1969, Harold operated a portable sawmill in the local area. In 1969, he was hired by the Connor family to operate his sawmill in Laona, as they rebuilt their mill. He returned to Stanley in the fall of 1970 when he founded the Delmar Saw & Lumber Company with Bill Fitzgerald as his manager. In 1986, he partnered with his son, Robert, in Stetson Hardwoods, a dry kiln operation in Stetsonville, until he retired in 1994 from both businesses. Harold enjoyed traveling with Olga and friends, playing cards, golfing and his membership in the Flora and Fauna cabin near Clam Lake.

Harold is survived by his children, Dr. Michael Bernklau (Dr. Craig Larrabee) of Mequon, Patrick Bernklau of Minneapolis, Minn., Robert (Kim) Bernklau of Medford, Mark (Cindy) Bernklau of Stanley, John (Tina) Bernklau of Rice Lake and Mary Bernklau of Stanley; nine grandchildren, Max and Paige Bernklau of Medford, Annie (Kevin) Rogalski and Chandler Bernklau, both of Stanley, Alex Bernklau of La Crosse, and Mackenzie, Zach, Ben and Brianna Turner of Stanley; one great-granddaughter, Tori; two sisters, Evelyn Weyenberg of Boyd and Betty (Bill) Plombon of Stanley; plus numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Olga in 2001; son, Joseph in 1980; and brothers, Gary in 1963 and Harlyn in 1996.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 5 at Plombon Funeral Home in Stanley. Burial was at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be donated to the Stanley Historical Society, and would like to express their appreciation to Family Health Associates, St. Joseph's Home Hospice and Ambulatory Care Unit.