Richard J. Bernt

Richard J. Bernt, age 89, of Columbus, died Monday, May 18, 2020 at Meridian Gardens in Columbus.

Private family Vigil and Mass of Christian Burial is at St. Isidore Catholic Church with Rev. Mike Swanton officiating. Public visitation is on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 4-7 pm at McKown Funeral Home with covid-19 restrictions in place and the family will not be present. Interment is in St. Bonaventure Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard.

Due to restrictions the Vigil will be broadcast at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 21 ,2020 and Mass will be broadcast at 10:30 am Friday, May 22, 2020 on the McKown Funeral Home Facebook Page.  You can access the Facebook Page by clicking here .

Richard "Rich" Bernt was born November 12, 1930 in Polk County, Nebraska to Fred and Anna (Korger) Bernt. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1948. He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1951-1953. He was married to Eva Mekosh on May 9, 1959 at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church-Krakow. He worked for the N.P.P.D system before transferring to Loup Public Power District in 1968 where he served as superintendent of the Power house. He retired in 1991 after 37 years of service. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church where he served as an usher, EME, and participated in perpetual adoration. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus #938 and V.F.W. #3704 and American Legion Hartman Post #84. Rich enjoyed woodworking, traveling, golfing, his coffee group and attending his grandchildren's sporting events.

Rich is survived by:
Wife: Eva Bernt of Columbus
Daughter: Teresa (Bill) Van Lent of West Des Moines, IA
Daughter: Debra (Rocky) Weber of Lincoln
Daughter: Ann (Steve) Dush of Las Vegas
7 Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his daughter: Donna Bernt, son: Ronald Bernt, infant son: John, parents: Fred & Anna, sisters: Mary Ann Bray, Rose Ussery, brothers: Clarence, Donald, John, Harold and Lawrence Bernt.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Bonaventure Stained Glass Fund or Scotus Central Catholic High School.