Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the Civic Center in Burke. Burial will be in the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick. There will be a prayer service on Monday at 7 pm at the Civic Center. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services.



Bernard Lee Baxa passed away on Wednesday, January 28th, 2015 at Avera Gregory Hospital at the age of 80 years old. He was born on September 23rd, 1934 in Dixon, SD in the farmhouse of his parents John and Nettie (Konop) Baxa. He has two older siblings, Ruby (Baxa) Stevicks and Duane Baxa. Bernie went to school in St. Charles, SD until his sophomore year and then finished high school in Burke, graduating in 1952. After graduating, Bernie worked on the family farm and also did custom farm work for other famers in the area. Bernie was baptized, confirmed, and became a member of The Herrick Lutheran Church.



May 14, 1954 Bernie married his beautiful bride of 60 years, Marilyn Tietgen. Together they had six children: Janet (Steve Bailey) of Bonesteel, SD; Dan (Cheryl) of Herrick, SD; John (Linda) of Hohnville, LA; James (Sue) of Canistota, SD; Julie (Bruce Otto) of Canistota, SD; Jolene (Mark Ward) of Spring Creek, NV.

In 1958 Bernie started working for Gustinson Construction building bridges. In 1960 Bernie and Marilyn moved to Herrick from their farm south of town. They bought "Todd's Recreation" in 1973, now known as Bernie's Inn. Bernie always took pride in working hard to provide for his family.



Some of Bernie's passions and hobbies were spending time with his family, which always included his dog, he enjoyed going fishing every chance he got, working the land by gardening and farming, playing cards, shooting darts, welding, and cutting wood. Bernie had the ability to invent, build, or fix anything he ever needed, and took great pride in doing things correctly; a trait he instilled in his loved ones. Bernie loved to tell stories and make people laugh. His personality drew people to Herrick from all over. During his days in the hospitals Bernie found joy in visits from friends, family, and local pastors, and won the hearts of the many doctors and nurses that cared for him.



Bernie experienced so much, was loved by many, and will be dearly missed but never forgotten. His stories will live on forever through all the lives he touched.



Bernie is survived by his wife, children, fifteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and many great friends. Preceding him in death are his parents John and Nettie, mother-in-law and father-in-law Bill and Luverna Tietgen, brother-in-law Roy Stevicks, sister-in-law Luella Tietgen, and great-granddaughter Jacy Bailey.



The family of Bernard Baxa thanks you for your love and support as we celebrate his life, and invites you to join them for a lunch that will be served at the Civic Center in Burke following the committal service.

As Bernie would say,

"10-4, Over and Out"

Facts



Born: September 23, 1934

Death: January 28, 2015

Services

Funeral Service



Tuesday February 3, 2015, 10:00 AM at Civic Center

Click for Map and Directions



There will be a prayer service on Monday at 7 pm at the Civic Center. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services.