Donald Dean Bernbeck

Donald Dean Bernbeck, 86 died Saturday, July 23, 2016 at the Denver Hospice in Denver, Colorado. He was born October 19, 1929 in Utica, Kansas the son of Ephraim G. & Martha (Schwindt) Bernbeck.
Donald grew up and attended school in Utica, Kansas. After graduating from Utica High School he attended Kansas State University for 2 years. He was then stationed on the U.S.S. Philippine Sea during the Korean War in which he served from 1948 to 1952. On August 26, 1953, he married Juliana Marie “Anne” Dechant in Hays, Kansas. They moved to Manhattan, Kansas while Donald earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. They moved to Garden City in 1956. They later lived in Jetmore and Utica for a short time before moving to Lakin in 1961. They later lived in Eudora, Kansas for a short time before moving to Parker, Colorado in 1994. They have lived in the Denver area since. While living in Garden City and Jetmore, Donald worked for the Kansas State Extension offices. While in Lakin, he owned and operated Don’s Standard Service for 11 years before owning and operating Bernbeck Oil Co. In Eudora, Donald sold real estate for several years and after moving to Parker, Colorado he worked as a contract carrier and express driver for the United States Postal Service. He then retired in 2011.  
Donald was a member of Ave Maria Catholic Church in Parker, Co., St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lakin, the Knights of Columbus, VFW of Lakin, and the NRA. He enjoyed airplanes and flying airplanes, and all sports where he loved to watch his grandchildren participate.
Survivors include 3 sons Devlon & (Joyce) Bernbeck, Lance & (Tonja) Bernbeck, and Duane & (Bonnie) Bernbeck all of Garden City; 3 daughters Kallie & (Frank) Male of Eudora, Ks., Donna & (Tony) Ramos of Garden City, Ks., and Trisha & (Leon) Anderson of Parker, Co.; 3 sisters Elvira Kilroy of Nokmis, Fl., Kay & (Dick) Horchem of Ness City, Ks., and Wanda MacKenzie of Gold Canyon, Az.; a brother Gary & (Anita) Bernbeck of Grand Junction, Co.; 14 Grandchildren; and 7 Great Grandchildren. Donald is preceded in death by his wife Anne who died on November 16, 2009. He is also preceded in death by his parents; a son Richard W. Bernbeck; a daughter Deanna Marie Bernbeck; and a brother Gerald Bernbeck.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lakin with Fr. Rene Labrador as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Lakin Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. The family request memorials given to St. Anthony Catholic Church or to the Denver Hospice both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Lakin.