1933
Jon
2015
Jon Bera
March 3, 1933 — December 2, 2015
Memorial services for Jon Bera will be held at 11AM Saturday, December 5, 2015 at East Freeborn Lutheran Church. Reverend Matthew Griggs will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church.
Jon Michael Bera passed away peacefully surrounded by family Wednesday morning, December 2, at St. John's Lutheran Home in Albert Lea. He was 82 years old.
Jon was born on March 3, 1933 to Mike and Orphia (née Edison) Bera in Albert Lea, MN. He was raised in Albert Lea and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1952. After graduation, he joined the Navy for three years until being honorably discharged in 1955. During his service, he was stationed in New Port, Rhode Island and earned a National Defense Service Medal.
On January 2, 1956 Jon married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Meissenhalter at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Nine children were born to this union. Jon and Betty owned and operated the Hayward Café from 1974-85. Jon was well-known for his wood carving and walking sticks. Betty and Jon enjoyed their annual involvement in the Big Island Rendezvous as well as doing the Rendezvous Circuit throughout the Midwest. They were known and loved by many as Ma & Pa Bonanza.
Jon and Betty were very happy and felt at home when they joined the East Freeborn Lutheran Church.
Those left to cherish the memory of Jon include his children, Nancy (Joe) Rollins of Darlington, SC, Frank (Linda) Bera of Hines, MN, Patricia (Mike) Levine of Thompson, IA, Daniel (Judy) Bera of Hines, MN, Ernest (Carol) Bera of Albert Lea, MN, Keith Bera of Albert Lea, MN, Robert (Sandra) Bera of Albert Lea, MN, Barbara (Tom) Wiste of Rose Creek, MN, Susan Darbo of Clarks Grove, MN; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jackie Meissenhalter of Napa, CA; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Jon was closely preceded in death by his wife, Betty Bera; parents, Mike and Orphia; brothers, Lou Bera and Frank Bera; and great-granddaughter, Caroline Bouska.
Jon Michael Bera passed away peacefully surrounded by family Wednesday morning, December 2, at St. John's Lutheran Home in Albert Lea. He was 82 years old.
Jon was born on March 3, 1933 to Mike and Orphia (née Edison) Bera in Albert Lea, MN. He was raised in Albert Lea and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1952. After graduation, he joined the Navy for three years until being honorably discharged in 1955. During his service, he was stationed in New Port, Rhode Island and earned a National Defense Service Medal.
On January 2, 1956 Jon married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Meissenhalter at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Nine children were born to this union. Jon and Betty owned and operated the Hayward Café from 1974-85. Jon was well-known for his wood carving and walking sticks. Betty and Jon enjoyed their annual involvement in the Big Island Rendezvous as well as doing the Rendezvous Circuit throughout the Midwest. They were known and loved by many as Ma & Pa Bonanza.
Jon and Betty were very happy and felt at home when they joined the East Freeborn Lutheran Church.
Those left to cherish the memory of Jon include his children, Nancy (Joe) Rollins of Darlington, SC, Frank (Linda) Bera of Hines, MN, Patricia (Mike) Levine of Thompson, IA, Daniel (Judy) Bera of Hines, MN, Ernest (Carol) Bera of Albert Lea, MN, Keith Bera of Albert Lea, MN, Robert (Sandra) Bera of Albert Lea, MN, Barbara (Tom) Wiste of Rose Creek, MN, Susan Darbo of Clarks Grove, MN; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jackie Meissenhalter of Napa, CA; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Jon was closely preceded in death by his wife, Betty Bera; parents, Mike and Orphia; brothers, Lou Bera and Frank Bera; and great-granddaughter, Caroline Bouska.
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