Bernard Odin Bendixen, Jr. passed away on January 2, 2014, at Evergreen Manor in Oshkosh. He was born February 19, 1923, in Streator, IL to Bernard O. Bendixen, Sr. and Olive M. (Strupp) Bendixen. Bernard graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in 1941 and was granted an officer commission in the Illinois National Guard. He attended Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He left school and enlisted in the U. S. Army on December 9, 1942. Bernard was a Second Lieutenant in the 88th Infantry Division, 350th Regiment in Italy serving as an infantry officer. After the war he remained in Italy and served in the 101st Military Police Battalion in Italy. It was here he met the love of his life, Franca Feletig, she worked in the police station as an interpreter. They were married on June 22, 1946, in Leghorn, Italy. Bernard was discharged from the Army on June 23, 1947, as a First Lieutenant. After his discharge Bernard and Franca moved to the United States. He worked for Fairbanks-Morse designing diesel engines. In 1971 Bernard retired from Fairbanks-Morse and moved to Winneconne, WI and became a general contractor fixing many homes in the area. He had many interests including flying airplanes, antique collecting, and visiting with friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bernard Oliver Bendixen and Donald Bendixen; and his wife of 64 years, Franca.
Bernard is survived by a special friend, Sharon Douglas; Bella and Kiko; and many other friends and relatives, including the Bendixen and Strupp families, and the Evergreen staff who meant so much to him.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 210 Pleasant Dr. Winneconne. A funeral Mass will be on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Fr. Michael Warden and Sr. Pam Biehl officiating. Military honors will follow. Entombment in Italy will take place at a later time.
If you wish, please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.