Bernell "Bernie" Wittrock

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 (507) 388-2202 Bernell "Bernie" L. Wittrock, age 94, of Mankato, died Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Oaklawn Health Care Center, Mankato. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 19, 2015 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Mankato with Fr. Eugene Stenzel, officiating. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m., Sunday at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church and will continue one hour before service at the church on Monday. Private family burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association. Bernell was born December 7, 1920 to Emil and Rose (Ebel) Wittrock in O'Brien County, Paullina, Iowa. His family moved to Reading, Minnesota in 1921 and Iona in 1922 and Balaton in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 19, 1941. He started on the USS Core, where he trained pilots for landing and takeoff on air craft carriers. He then transferred to the USS Monterey for 2 years and saw duty in the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, New Guinea and Carolina Islands, Marianna Islands, Philippine Islands, Okinawa, and Formosa and was honorably discharged in December 15, 1945. After service he worked at the elevator in Rose Creek, Minnesota. He bought the filling station at Chester, Iowa in 1947 and in 1960 bought the filling station in Lake Crystal. He was united in marriage to Florence Vanderlouw in September 1961, she died in December 1976. He later married Everilde M. (Morris) Sonday on May 7, 1977. He ran the station until 1976 and then did auto mechanic work till 1990. Bernie started working at Carlson Craft in the wood shop in 1989 and retired in 2004. Bernie and Everilde moved to Mankato in March of 2001. Bernie was a member St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Eagle Lake American Legion, and Life Member of the Morson Ario VFW. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, camping, square dancing, and spending time with his family. Bernie is survived by his wife, Everilde of Mankato; five children, Gary Sonday (Susan Bagley) of Baltimore, MD, Robert (Twinkle) Sonday of Northfield, Connie Jean (Dwight) Wallin of Mankato, Chris Wittrock of Lake Crystal, and Dave Wittrock of Mankato; ten grandchildren; twenty one great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and extended family. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; son, Greg in 2011; brother, Clarence; sister, Lorene.