Bruce Bernhagen, 59, a lifelong mechanic who began working at his family’s business, Bernhagen Chevrolet in Junction City, died unexpectedly Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, at his home while sleeping.

A prayer service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Martens/Rembs Funeral Home in Junction City, followed by family and friends sharing their memories. The family requests that attendees come dressed in whatever makes them feel comfortable and that they bring a story about Mr. Bernhagen to share.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Thursday until the service.

Donations may be made to the Junction City Sundowners
Snowmobile Club or to the Humane Society of Portage County.

Condolences may be offered online at www.rembsfh.com.

Mr. Bernhagen was born Aug. 12, 1956, in Marshfield, a son
of Bill and Shirley (Grover) Bernhagen of Junction City, the second of five boys.
He graduated from Stevens Point Area Senior High in 1974.

He was married to Gale M. Wolloch June 18, 1977, at St. Mary
Catholic Church in Custer.

He was a lifelong mechanic, starting at the family business
Bernhagen Chevrolet and most recently working at M&J Marine in
Kronenwetter.

His hobbies included motorcycling, go-karting, ice racing,
chainsaw carving, tinkering with radio controlled vehicles, boating, ice
fishing, golfing, snowmobiling and traveling. He spent summer weekends cruising
around Lake DuBay.

Survivors include his wife of nearly
39 years, Gale; one daughter, Dr. Lindsay Bernhagen, Columbus, Ohio; one son,
Andy (girlfriend Caitlin Lundquist), Junction City; his parents, Junction City;
and three brothers, Corky (Mary), Junction City, Danny (Shari), New London, and
Billy (Fancy), Corpus Christi, Texas.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Al.