Charles Berns
Charles Cletus Berns, age 82, of Harpers Ferry passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30 at St. Ann – St. Joseph Catholic Church, Harpers Ferry with Rev. John Moser as the Celebrant. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Joseph Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry.
Visitation will be Friday, March 29 from 4-8 p.m. with a 3:30 p.m. Scripture Service at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing and one hour before mass at the church Saturday. Memorial donations in Charles’s honor may be made to the Harpers Ferry Ladies Auxiliary, Harpers Ferry VFW or for Mass Services at Holy Family of the Bluffs.
Charles was born in Guttenberg November 23, 1936 to Cletus and Mildred (Curran) Berns. Charles attended grade school at the Climax County School in rural Taylor Township until sixth grade. He then attended Waterville school and graduated in 1955.
Charles was a member of the U.S. Navy and served four years from June 4, 1955 to June 4, 1959; during his time of service he was aboard the U.S. Hornet Aircraft carrier. Charles met his wife, Doris Ann Mauss, in 1959 and they were married November 15, 1960. Charles and Doris owned and operated the family farm near Harpers Ferry, where they raised their family.
Charles was a member of the Catholic Knights, VFW and the Allamakee Antique Auto Club. Charles enjoyed farming, hunting and traveling. Charles also had a pilot’s license and enjoyed flying a single engine prop plane on many occasions. Charles was a very generous and lucky man; he was often the lucky winner of various local giveaways.
Charles is survived by his wife, Doris Berns; his 11 children, Ann (Mike) Buchholz of Mondovi, WI, Margaret (Keith) Burrett of Waukon, Charles (Peggy) Berns of Waterville, Colleen (Myron) Wilburn of Milwaukee, WI, Bernadette Wiedmeyer of San Antonio, TX, Gail (Paul) Whalen of New Albin, Kathy (Dave) Moritz of Lansing, Becky (Jeff) Rideot of Oconomowoc, WI, Millie (Corey) Richards of Lansing, Peter (Rhonda) Berns of Lansing and Mark (Kristin) Berns of Rossville; 28 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Tommy (Deb) Berns of La Crescent, MN; three sisters-in-law, Mary Benson of New Albin, Patty Wellendorf of Lansing and Rita Sanchez of La Crosse, WI; two brothers-in-law, Larry (Deb) Mauss of La Crosse, WI and Dale (Lori) Mauss of New Albin; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Cletus and Mildred; two grandchildren, Matthew and Layne; two brothers, Bernard and Cletus; one sister-in-law, Suzie; and four brothers-in-law, David Mauss, Jim Benson, Jim Wellendorf and Jim Sanchez.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing is assisting the family with the arrangements.
