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Dennis valiantly fought a battle with leukemia having sought medical expertise at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, MD Anderson in Houston and Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.
Dennis married Connie Humes January 25, 1985 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg. They share four children: Chad and wife, Jena Bernhard, Rebecca (Becky) Adams, Cyrena and husband, Kevin Durkee and Brad Bernhard who passed away in 2011. He is survived by one sister, Eileen and husband, Danny Meyer and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norma and Chester W. Bernhard, sister Bonnie Bernhard Phelps and grandson, Kyle Bernhard.
They have six grandchildren, Father Brandon Bernhard and Kacey, Rianne and Rylea Bernhard; Lillie and Luke Durkee.
Dennis was a third generation rancher on the Bernhard Ranch and had a deep love for the Hill Country, rural culture, livestock and wildlife management. He lovingly passed this devotion onto future generations.
Dennis was instrumental in starting the Texas Hill Country Dorper Sheep Association and served in all of the officer positions. He was a founding director of Harper Wildlife Association, and served as a director of Gillespie County Farm Bureau and The American Red Brangus Association.
A Wrede 4-H leader, Dennis also taught Sunday School for Zion Lutheran Church. A member of St. James Lutheran Church in Harper, he served as a Church Council member.
Dennis began his career with Mooney Aircraft where he was service parts manager for 27 years.
He and Connie started a new venture in Florida as a partner in ModWork in Punta Gorda, Florida.
After 6 and a half years they grew homesick for their much-loved Hill Country and moved back to San Antonio where he began the company, Lone Star Aero, an aircraft service center, located at the San Antonio International Airport. After 19 years Dennis retired to devote his time to his cherished ranch.
Dennis and Connie enjoyed traveling together across the United States and Canada in their RV also enjoying the horse races at Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
The body will lie in state in the chapel of the Schaetter Funeral Home, Fredericksburg until 8:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 14th and from 9:00 till 10:00 A.M. in the St. James Lutheran Church, Harper with Funeral Services at 10:00 A.M. with the Rev. Scott Hofmann officiating.
Graveside services and interment will follow in the Harper Community Cemetery
Pall bearers were Dwight Oestreich, Bob Yelverton, Kevin Kunz, Kevin Durkee, Justin Marschall, and Grant Meyer.
Memorials can be given to Texas Hill Country Dorper Association Bradley Bernhard Scholarship Fund, St. James Lutheran Church, Harper Volunteer Fire Dept or the charity of your choice.
Visitation for Mr. Dennis Bernhard will begin on Monday, July 13th from 4:00 till 8:00 P.M. and on Tuesday, July 14th from 7:00 till 8:00 A.M. in the chapel of the Schaetter Funeral Home, Fredericksburg[/size][/font]
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