Francis “Frank” William Bernard, age 86, of Rice Lake, WI, died Sunday, September 21, 2025 in Rice Lake. He was born on August 26, 1939 in Duluth, MN to. Henry and Catherine (Eagan).

Frank graduated from Cathedral High School in Duluth and then graduated from North Dakota School of Science with a degree in diesel mechanics. He married Gayle Breitbach on June 16, 1962 in Duluth.

Frank sailed out of the Great Lakes working on the steam engines for 4 years and then later on he received a boiler degree. He worked for Minnesota Power and Light for over 31 years and retired as a Chief Operating Engineer. They moved to Rice Lake in 1995 where he was active in the Rice Lake Kiwanis. He enjoyed working on the petunias, and going to Music in the Park. He loved watching dirt track racing, he enjoyed his cars and restoring them, traveling, finances and gardening. Frank was compassionate, had a good work ethic and would help out his family and loved them dearly.

He is survived by a son, Tim (Karen) Bernard; a daughter, Deb (Bret) Haugen; 2 grandchildren, Katie (Gavin) Quinn and Kerri Haugen; 2 great grandchildren, Enzo and Ace; 2 step grandchildren, Tim (Crystal) Marshall and ReAnne (Connor) Robish; 5 step great grandchildren, Aubrey, Madison, Nolan, Kate and Porter; a step great grandchildren, Oaklynn; a brother, Paul Bernard.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle Bernard; his parents, Henry and Catherine Bernard; and a sister, Veronica Kilpela. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM Monday, September 29, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rice Lake, Father Phil Juza, with interment in the Nora Cemetery in Rice Lake.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church on Monday.

Last Update: Sep 23, 2025 8:15 am CDT