Emeric Bernard

May 12, 1951-Nov. 22, 2023

BALATON — A service celebrating the life of Emeric Bernard, 72, of Balaton, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Balaton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow at the Balaton Community Center. Burial will be held at a later date with immediate family and friends.

Emeric passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by the loving comfort of his family.

Emeric was born May 12, 1951, in Wahpeton, ND, to William “Bill” and Loretta (Althoff) Bernard. Emeric was one of 11 children: seven sisters Lavonne (Roger), Mary (Jim), Lori (Dave), Monica (Harry), Diane (Mike), Caroline, and Cindy; and three brothers Arthur (Lynn), Gerald, and Curt (Todd). Emeric was baptized in to the Catholic faith.

As Emeric grew up on the family farm, he gained his love for farming and built a strong work ethic that he passed down to his son. Emeric was no stranger to hard work. When he wasn’t farming or working, he found projects to work on or modify, often helping friends and family and sometimes local businesses. He also invented a guidance system for tractors which he sold across the United States before moving to Balaton. On Dec. 17, 1988, Emeric married Julie Anderson. Along with their son TJ, they built a life together. The family moved to Balaton in 1991.

Emeric had a green thumb and loved starting plants in the house to later be planted in his huge garden. Emeric and Julie took care of the garden at their home for many years. Emeric made sure nothing went to waste, as he enjoyed spreading his love through the community by delivering vegetables to family, friends, and neighbors throughout Balaton. Nothing beat his canned pickles. He also had a love for his “knees in the breeze,” going on bike trips with Julie behind him, and trips with family and friends, or out for a ride with his son TJ. When Emeric and TJ weren’t out enjoying their motorcycle rides, and when Emeric couldn’t ride anymore, they enjoyed going out asparagus hunting. Emeric enjoyed his outings with TJ, and he loved that TJ would never take the same way home. This gave his dad more time to chit chat, tell stories, and do more sightseeing.

Emeric was a fabricator and certified welder. He worked at Marshall Machine and ADM for 16 years. For many years he spent time enjoying and helping Craig Gifford farm. Emeric shared his experience helping farm, and he and Craig always had their timing down pat in the fall.

Emeric’s contagious smile and his strong, loving hugs will be dearly missed. He was a strong man that beat cancer two times and always had a positive outlook. He was a fighter until his last breath. There are so many stories, memories, and lives that he touched that simply won’t fit on this page. He will be missed each and every day, and we will cherish his memory always.

Emeric is survived by his wife Julie, son TJ and his fiancée Jessica, her daughter Adriana and granddaughter; nephews Darren Van Meveren and Corey Anderson; as well as his siblings and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Loretta and an infant daughter.

A star was named to honor Emeric in Leo Minor: magnitude 14.41, coordinates 38.3345°, 10h 16m 41.16s right ascension. Part of us died the day you left us. You will never be forgotten. This star shines for you to remind us how bright your smile was and how meaningful your life was.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family to help with medical and funeral expenses.

Arrangements with

Horvath Funeral Service

Balaton, Minnesota