Bernard C. 'Bernie' Walquist

DULUTH, Minn. - Bernard C. "Bernie" Walquist, 84, of Ironwood, Mich., died Saturday evening, July 16, 2016, at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on U.S. 2 in Kimball, Wis. earlier that evening.

Bernie was born Dec. 9, 1931, in Ironwood, son of the late Conrad and Agnes (Erickson) Walquist. He was the second of three children and grew up working on the family farm. He attended Roosevelt School and Luther L. Wright High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 22, 1952, proudly serving his country during the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged as a corporal on June 11, 1954.

On May 19, 1956, Bernie was married to Loretta Buccanero at the First Presbyterian Church in Iron Belt, Wis., by the Rev. C.L. Harries. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary with many friends and family.

Bernie had always been active and hardworking. He worked at the North Range Mine, Schult Mobile Homes and for the City of Ironwood, retiring in 1993. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood and Ironwood American Legion Post 5. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and getting together with friends and family to share good food and fellowship. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, deer hunting and traveling. He especially enjoyed his trips to Hawaii and Alaska and spending time at Little Girl's Point. Bernie will be truly missed by his loving wife and children.

Surviving are his wife, Loretta, of 60 years; son, Mark (Fran), Richmond, Texas; daughters, Jody (Gary) Olkonen, Brenda (Wayne) Kolesar and Debra Johnson (John MacDonald), all of Ironwood; 10 grandchildren, Eric (Andrea), Andrew and Brandon Walquist, all of Grand Rapids, Mich., Kirsten Walquist, Champagne/Urbana, Ill., Jason Olkonen, Ironwood, Erin Carter (Jack Bauer), Manitowish Waters, Wis., Amy Kolesar, Ironwood, Nathan Kolesar (Claire Krohn), Menominee, Wis., Zuan Johnson, Marquette, Mich., and Cory Johnson (Jeanine LaBrell), Dearborn Heights, Mich .; five great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Jaimisen, Ethan, Izaiha and Skyler; sisters-in-law, Gail Buccanero, Ironwood, and Carol (Richard) Kinnunen, Iron Belt, Wis .; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Betty Mattson Olson and Nancy Wick; father and mother-in-law, Alex and Anne Buccanero; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Arnie Mattson, Jack Olson, Don Wick, Virginia "Gena" Erickson, Carl "Ole" Erickson, Richard "Kenny" Linn, Brian "Scutta" Buccanero and Michael "Mickey" Buccanero.

Per Bernie's wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 23, at 2 p.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m., at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with Pastor Kurt Kovanen officiating.

Full military honors will be accorded at the church by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. All of our family and friends are invited to attend.

Private inurnment will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.