Bernard Kolsrud
Bernard “Junior/JR” Kolsrud, 93, of Waukon died Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Graveside services were held Saturday, July 1 at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating.
Bernard Hunstad Kolsrud was born November 28, 1929 in rural Waterville, the son of Ben and Hulda (Hunstad) Kolsrud. He was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville and graduated from Waterville High School. Bernard was born on a farm near Waterville before moving to the family farm in the Cherry Mound area when he was young. He farmed with his parents for several years before taking over the farm and running it on his own.
July 9, 1976, he married Lorna Mae Borcherding at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. In 1977, after selling the family farm, they moved to Waukon. Junior worked for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at Yellow River State Forest as a forester from 1967 until he retired in 1991. After retiring, he worked at various local farms well into his 80s, driving tractor, repairing and replacing fences, and pitching in with whatever needed to get done.
In his younger days, he enjoyed attending dances and joining his uncles on their various fun-loving adventures. He bartended at Rainbow Gardens, where he earned the nickname “Sweetpea,” which stuck with him for many years. Junior enjoyed music of the Big Band era, woodworking, working in his garden, playing cards, and going for rides throughout the countryside to check crops and scout lumber. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Junior was good-natured and could strike up a conversation with anyone.
Survivors include his children, Terry (Shawna) Kolsrud of Waukon and Stacey Kolsrud of San Francisco, CA; two grandchildren, Kiah and Kole Kolsrud; a brother-in-law, Lyle (Judy) Borcherding of Johnstown, PA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorna, in 2019; two brothers, John (Betty) Kolsrud and Lloyd (Hazel) Kolsrud; and three sisters, Caryl (Elmer) Hager, Lila (Ken) Kowalishen and Jean (Charles) Wiedenmann.
Honorary casketbearers were his nieces and nephews, Northgate Care Center Staff, and his card club friends at Northgate. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
