Bernard Columbus, 88, of Red Lake Falls, passed away at Hillcrest Nursing Home on February 2, 2008.


Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 PM, Thursday, February 7, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Antony Fernando presiding. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held 6-9 PM, Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Red Lake Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 8:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday.

Bernard was born November 25, 1919 at the family farm near Red Lake Falls, MN, the son of Walter and Mae (Adler) Columbus. He was baptized and confirmed at St Marys Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. He attended country school through the 7th grade and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1937.

Bernard served in the US Army Air Force from November 1941 to November 1945. He was assigned to the Army Post Office in the South Pacific.

On June 24, 1941, Bernard was united in marriage to Nathalie Himes who died in 1948. Together they had four children: Barbara (Bobbie), Ronald, Phyllis & John.

On April 18, 1950, Bernard married Audrey Mundinger. Five more children were added to the family: Nancy, Mike, Debra, Bruce and Christie. In 1953 they bought the family farm just south of Red Lake Falls where they farmed and raised their family until 1999. Son Bruce purchased the farm and it remains in the Columbus family name. They then moved into Red Lake Falls.

Bernard began working for the United Postal Service as post office clerk in February of 1941. In 1960, he took the job of rural mail carrier which position he held until his retirement in 1980.

Bernard enjoyed winning 10-15 cents on a good game of golf with his golfing buddies. He loved taking his family to Lake of the Woods to teach them how to catch the big one. The family now feels confident that they will finally be able to win a game of cards, he was very good at several different games. He was his grandkids biggest fan at their various sporting events and rarely missed a game. Family was the most important part of his life and instilled that into his children.

Survivors include his wife Audrey of 57 years, Nine children: Barbara (Roger) Howard of Staples, MN; Ron (Marilyn) Columbus of Sandy, Utah; Phyllis (Richard) Larson of Red Lake Falls, MN; John Columbus of Red Lake Falls; Nancy (Arlie) Garrabrant of Roanoke, VA; Mike (Bernice) Columbus, Debra (Ralph) Perreault, Bruce (Pam) Columbus all of Red Lake Falls; Chris (Gary) Markestad of Fort Worth, TX. Thirty Grandchildren: Paul (Chia) Howard, David (Annette) Howard, Jim (Karen) Howard, Karla (Brian) Miller, Audra Loveless, Steve (Brenda) Wanke, Sue Graham, Rick Wanke, Jenny Casavan, Brian (Deb) Steenerson, Wendy (Jeff) Anderson, Amy (Paul) Gaebe, Duanna (Chris) Fike, Dawn (Brad) Swenson, Pieter Garrabrant, Heidi Garrabrant, Tina Taus, Richie Columbus, Britney Columbus, Nathan(Jolene) Schue, Justin Schue, Bill (Kristen) Perreault, Angie (Brad) Owens, Becky (Paul) Peterson, Keri (Dave) Dornbusch, Katie Perreault, Cassie & Breanna Columbus, Claire & Kyle Markestad. Forty great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. One brother: Kenneth (Bev) Columbus of Grand Rapids, MN. Three sisters: Marian Harris of St Louis, MO, Alice Longtin of Red Lake Falls, Lois (Don) Steenerson of Highland, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nathalie, one brother, Donald, two sisters, Gladys Mullen, LuAnne Hanson.


PALLBEARERS: Barbara Howard, Ronald Columbus, Phyllis Larson, John Columbus, Nancy Garrabrant, Mike Columbus, Deb Perreault, Bruce Columbus, Chris Markestad