James Bertram Bernatz, 73, peacefully passed on to his heavenly home on May 15, 2013 with his family at his side. His death was caused by a malignant brain tumor. He was born to Donald and Frances Bernatz on June 10, 1939 in Austin, MN.

Upon graduation from Pacelli High School in 1957 he attended Austin Jr. College and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1961 with a degree in Mortuary Science. He married Janette Mann of Hopkins, MN and accepted a position in Alaska where he became the manager of the Anchorage Funeral Chapel until 1963. He was named one of the Ten Most Promising Young Professionals in Alaska. He moved back to Austin in 1966 and was employed as a financial planner and continued in that field as a stockbroker at Loewi and Co., a NYSE firm in Austin, MN. A divorce followed.

In 1967 he married Carol Weydert and adopted her four children. The following year a son wasborn. They later divorced in 1978.

A marriage to Dorothy Lockrem in 1979 at Rochester preceded a move to Los Angeles where they owned and operated South Bay Patio and Playpen, an outdoor furniture store, until 1990.  Upon moving back to Rochester they owned Timeless Treasures, an antique and collectibles business, for nine years until retirement. They were also co-directors of the Family History Center at their church for several years.

Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, gourmet cooking, antiques, and being with his faithful dog, Jordan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, step-son Peter,aunts Marian Blais, Kay Spaelti, Eileen Lewis, Margaret Budahn; uncles Don Blais, Edsel Budahn, Edward Nolan, Roger Lewis, Walter Spaelti, and brother-in-law Marvin Curtis.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy, daughter Lori (Jeff) Loverink of Coon Rapids, MN; four sons Craig (Laurie) of Hendersonville, TN, Brad (Jen) of Marcola, OR, Scott (Tammy) of Mantorville, MN and Kevin (Laura) of Lewiston, ID; one step-daughter Diane (Dan) Schmidt of Waconia, MN; 18 grandchildren, 2 step-granddaughters; several great-grandchildren; four sisters Darlene Curtis of Salt Lake City, UT, Phyllis (Ron) Longtin of Reno, NV, JoAnne (Bob) King of Afton, WY, and Patricia Woodall of Sandy, UT; brother Terrance (Jody) of Rochester, MN; several nieces and nephews; uncle Joe Nolan and aunts Judy Nolan and Mary Jo Nolan of Austin, MN; and his faithful dog, Jordan Isaiah.

The funeral service will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, May 18th at 11:00AM.  Visitation will be on Friday, May 17 ^th in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Austin, MN later in the day.