Bernhard “Bernie” Henry Pistorius III, age 69, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, passed away peacefully at home on June 21, 2023.
Bernie was a kind, easy going family man who wanted nothing more in life than to be a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all those he loved so dearly. He enjoyed spending time with family, especially at the family cabin, relaxing by the lake or sitting by the fire, listening to music and long peaceful rides on his motorcycle.
He leaves behind his wife, Julie (Madsen) Pistorius, his children, Jamie (Brandon) Derickson, Brandie (Nicolas “Ching”) Casares, Christin (Jeff) Meyer, Katherine Schaffer, and Michael Schaffer, his grandchildren Austin, Ethan and Ryan Molitor, Riley and Kyle Casares, Fiona, Ronin and Freya Meyer, and Eva Saunders, as well as his siblings Cindy (Phil Stanton) Johnson, Katie (Art) Mawhinney, John (Marcia) Pistorius, Jim (Becky)Pistorius, Mike (Cindy) Pistorius, Eileen Serpico, Mary (Dick) Eufrasio, Joe (Pam) Pistorius, Tom Pistorius, Joan (Jim) Kovach, Peggy (Chris) Cousino and Bill (Jen) Pistorius, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Bernhard “Hank” and Marilyn Pistorius and his youngest son, Bernhard H. Pistorius IV.
He had asked that we not mourn his passing, but to celebrate the extraordinary life and tremendous amount of love he felt so blessed to have shared in his lifetime.
A celebration of life will be planned for a later date. Until then, in true Bernie style, he would want you to celebrate his life with a toast and a smile…fins up!