Obituary of Bernard "Bernie" Martin Garhofer

Bernard “Bernie” Martin Garhofer peacefully passed away on April 25th, 2025, at the age of 92, surrounded by family at United Hospital, St. Paul. He was a resident of St Paul where he lived with his wife Clare “Mae” (Schulz) Garhofer

Bernie was born April 30th, 1932, in Sykeston, North Dakota, the son of Franz “Frank” and Mary (Huss) Garhofer. Bernie grew up with his sisters Aggie and Regina, and his brothers Conrad and Frank on the family farm outside Sykeston until they moved into town during the Depression. He graduated from Sykeston high school in 1950 where he played basketball and 9-man football. In 1950 they took third in the State Championship in basketball. Bernie joined the Navy in 1952 during the Korean war and served on a destroyer. His ship made two world tours, so he was able to “see the world”.

He started dating Mae in high school and they were married June 30th, 1954, in Sykeston when Bernie came home on leave from the Navy. Mae then moved to San Diego to where Bernie was based. After Bernie got out of the Navy, he went to barber school and they moved to Wilton, North Dakota where Bernie worked as a barber. In 1967 they moved to St Paul and raised their five children, Brian, Lana, Dan, Pat, and Brent. Bernie had a barber shop on Grand Avenue next to Macalester College. Being a barber next to a college during the “long hair” era in the late 60’s and early 70’s was a little tough, financially, so Bernie joined the Postal Service as a Letter Carrier. Bernie was active in the union and was a past officer of NALC Branch 28 IN St Paul. He was a 50 year gold card member of the National Association of Letter Carriers(NALC) and stayed involved. He never missed a Retirees Dinner.

Bernie and Mae retired and moved from St Paul to their lake home in Webster Wisconsin, spending the winter months in Laughlin, NV. In 2014 they moved back to St Paul to be closer to the family and grandchildren. In 2015 they took a two-week trip to the Czech Republic, Germany, and their ancestral home St. Andre, Austria where they visited “the old

country”. Bernie met one of his distant cousins in the small house where his mother was born and was invited in for lunch and to look at the old family picture albums.

Bernie and Mae were inseparable during the 77 years that they spent together. He was proud that they raised such a close knit, supportive family and everyone was welcome in their home. The best times were at the cabin where he would sit on the patio or putter in the garage listening to the Twins game or the country music channel. The time at the cabin with the kids and grandkids were the best and created the strongest and fondest memories.

Mae and Bernie were loving parents who did an amazing job of creating a very strong bond with their family and friends. This love was everywhere as they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2024, with a packed house of family and friends.

They were blessed with nine grandchildren and their partners, Grant (Krista) Garhofer, Jessica (Jesse) Leverty, Travis (Mae) Garhofer, Luke (Janie) Leverty, Jacob Garhofer, Stefanie (Luis) Chute, Katie Garhofer, Daniel Garhofer (Sammi), Angie Salonek

Bernie watched his family grow with the addition of his great grandchildren, Ellie and Nico Leverty; Isabella Garhofer; Colt and Case Leverty; Axel Swedlund; Ayden, Bennett, Otto, and Blair Hernandez.

Bernie is survived by his children and their spouses, son Brian (Donna) Garhofer, daughter Lana (Tony) Leverty, son Dan (Lee Anne) Garhofer, son Pat (Claudia) Garhofer, son Brent (Tim) Garhofer, his brother Francis (Frank) Garhofer, sister Regina Perkins, sister in law Linda (Dave) Bleth, sister in law Evangeline (Hertel) Garhofer, cousin Lou Ann Huss, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and countless friends.

Preceded in death by his wife Clare “Mae” (Schulz) Garhofer, parents Franz and Mary (Huss) Garhofer, sister Aggie (Steve) Straus, brother Conrad (Mary Ann) Garhofer, sister in law Norma Garhofer, brother in law Leo Perkins, cousin Edwin Huss, brother in law Bill Schulz and wife Bonnie, sister in law Mary Jane Helton and husband Leo Huss, son in law Walter Wilson, grandson Dylan Christensen, great granddaughter Llara Jade Hernandez.

Bernie and Mae’s celebration of life will be held on June 19th from 4-7 PM at The Cremation Society of Minnesota, 1979 Old Hudon Road, St. Paul, MN 55119. Catholic Services will be held at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 2119 Stillwater Ave E., St. Paul, MN. 55119. Visitation at the church will be from 9:30 – 10:30 with the Service starting at 10:30. Burial will be at Fort Snelling at a later date.

Thank you, Bernie, for always loving us unconditionally. You will always be in our hearts.

You will not know a last time

until long after it has happened.

The last time you felt the warmth

off your mother's hug.

The last time your father was able

to lift you up and carry you

on his shoulders.

The last time you shared

half an orange

with your brother.

Or that last late night

conversation with your best friend.

Perhaps if we knew which ending

was forever,

we would linger a little longer

in each moment.

We would look at it

like a diamond

held up to the sunlight.

Treasuring all the beautiful

colors it brought into our lives.

- Nikita Gill