Bernard John Lesnar, 88, of Grenville, SD, went to inspect his eternal stretch of tracks on Saturday, June 27, 2026 after a courageous battle with old age.
Celebration of life began with a visitation on Thursday, July 2, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Grenville, SD. A Prayer Service followed that evening at 7 to 8 p.m. The services concluded with a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Bernie was born March 8, 1938, on a farm west of Grenville, the second of ten children born to John and Esther (Ewalt) Lesnar.
St. Joseph Catholic Church, founded by his ancestors, the heart that beat at the center of his family’s soul, is where he was baptized, received 1st Communion, Confirmation, and developed his lifelong devotion and unwavering faith. He graduated from St. Joseph School, where he received his elementary and high school education, in 1956.
His real education began on November 16, 1960, from that long gravel driveway leading away from everyone and everything he’d ever known, to Fort Ord, CA, where he attended basic training and began his three-year enlistment with the United States Army. Three years that set much of the man he would become, and the man he would forever be, into motion. In those three years he was sent to Fort Rucker, AL, where, in 1961, he graduated as Crew Chief for single- rotor H-13 helicopters. In April of 1961, Bernie was assigned to the 545th Transportation Detachment at Fort Riley, KS, until they were assigned to Schofield Barracks in Oahu, HI. In September of 1961, they traveled by train from Fort Riley to San Francisco, where they boarded a military troop carrier for the fiveday journey to Oahu. In September of 1962, the unit was sent to Camp Holloway in Pleiku, South Vietnam, for a temporary 90-day duty that turned into a 10-month stay that concluded in June of 1963. During those 10-months, Bernie, a jack of all trades that never shied away from doing that which needed to be done, was a door gunner, small arms and .30 and .50 caliber machine gun repairman, and Supply Sergeant. At the conclusion of his extended stay in Vietnam, he was assigned to Fort Leavenworth, KS, where he served as Crew Chief of H-13 helicopters until his discharge on November 16, 1963. After discharge he was assigned to Ready Reserve until he entered Active Reserve in Aberdeen, SD, where he was promoted to PSU as a Platoon Sergeant of the Unit Maintenance and Service, and was charged with hauling ammo and equipment and operating a dozer. From August of 1991 to June of 1992, his unit was sent to Iraq as an ammo unit that supplied ammunition for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In November of 1995, after 27 years of military service, four years active and 23 years Army Reserve Active, Bernie begrudgingly accepted his discharge.
Another defining aspect of Bernie’s life was that of the railroad. From 1965 to 1982 he worked for the Milwaukee Railroad on the Ortonville to Fargo line, and from 1982 until his retirement in 1995, the Burlington Railroad on the Aberdeen to Webster line. In that time, he worked as a laborer, machine operator, Section Forman Track Inspector, and Roadmaster. Track inspector suited his driving style…slow, steady, and observant. When we think of his time on the railroad, Isaiah 40:4 comes to mind, “…the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”
On June 1, 1968, Bernie married Beverly Kwasniewski at Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster, SD. Although they later divorced, of this union four children were born; Kellen John, Kimberly Ann, Dawn Marie, and Danielle Christine. As Bernie said, “Four beautiful children, which are my heart and soul.”
There are words and phrases that readily come to mind when one thinks of Bernie…eternally optimistic, jovial and kind. If there was a sliver of sun in a gray day he would see it. Bernie lived to serve, as is evident in the active presence he had with the Webster VFW and Grenville Legion where he served as Post Commander, and in the 500 hours of driving he did as a DAV Volunteer. An evaluation by a commanding officer, found amongst his belongings, serves to paint an accurate picture of the man we call our Dad…our Grandpa… our Fatherin- Law… our Brother… our Uncle… our Friend… “SFC Lesnar is an outstanding Platoon Sergeant. His concern for his subordinate’s wellbeing is evident in everything he does. SFC Lesnar possesses all the knowledge, ability, and skill necessary to be a model Platoon Sergeant.” We couldn’t agree more.
We are saddened by our loss, but we are forever grateful for the opportunity we had to share our lives with that of Bernard John Lesnar. Grateful for the many card games, grateful for his guidance in all things related to fishing, mowing, and gardening, grateful to have known a good man. As is often the case in life, we don’t always get to say all that we want to say to those we share our lives with. We feel that if Bernie could say one last thing to each of us, Timothy 4:7 would be most appropriate, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” Yes, you have. Rest easy Soldier.
Those who shared in his life, his children, Kellen; Kimberly (Mike) Guhl; Dawn (Josh) Ellis; Danielle (Greg) Eszlinger. Grandchildren, Sierra Ellis, Jackson Ellis, Ashlyn Lesnar, Kolten Eszlinger, Josh Lesnar, Spencer Guhl, Natasha Guhl, Gibsen Eszlinger, Gavin Guhl. Siblings, Tony Lesnar, Brother Reynold, Jerry (Darlene) Lesnar, Josie Maag, Ray Lesnar, Joey (Evonne) Lesnar. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Bernie was proceeded in death by his parents, John and Esther, brothers John, Thomas and Peter, brother-in-law Lowell Maag, and sister-in-law’s Shirley, Janice, Darlys, and Elaine.