August Jacob Bernhagen

COLUMBIA—August J. “Bernie” Bernhagen passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2018, after a short illness. He was born in Kulm, North Dakota on August 4, 1933. Bernie served in the US Army for more than 22 years, retiring in 1973 as a Sergeant First Class.He received numerous awards and medals. Bernie is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maria C. Bernhagen; daughter, Debbie A. Bernhagen; sons, Fred Bernhagen (Tina) and Mike Bernhagen (Misty); 5 grandchildren, Mikey, Devin, Kori, Hannah and Heath; a great-grandchild, Braylen and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law, Ena, Lenora and Angie. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald, Ewald, Ray and his sister, Ruth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, 120 Marydale Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 24, 2018 with visitation from 9:00-10:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Reverend Peter Sousa will officiate.Internment will be at 2:00 p.m. in Bush River Memorial Gardens with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, 120 Marydale Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 or SCOA, 166 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29210, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. A special thanks to the doctors and nurses at the VA Hospital for the excellent care and compassion shown to Bernie during his illness.