November 20, 1935 – January 23, 2026
Bernadene Lucille Bellender, 90, of Henderson, NV and formerly of Mason City, IA, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Funeral arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. with a one-hour prior visitation at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City. Following the service, Bernadene will be laid to rest at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
Bernadene Lucille Garrett, daughter of Irene (Lugg) Garrett and Lance Garrett, was born Nov. 20, 1935 in a rural farmhouse near Osage, Iowa. Bernie spent 12 of her childhood years in Iowa, living with her Grandparents and Aunt. She later moved to Colorado where she attended school and worked at various jobs. In Colorado, Bernie met Alex Bellender and fell in love. Alex and Bernie were married in Greeley, Colorado on December 19, 1954. Their lives were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Alexis Moore (John) and Bernadette Ginapp (Darrell).
Alexis and Bernadette gave Alex and Bernie 6 Grandchildren: (Alexis) Kristen Buseman (Ted) and Heather Roth (Fred); (Bernadette) Wyatt, Katelin, Trevor and Keegen Ginapp ; 11 Great-Grandchildren: (Heather) Cain Roth (Abbey); (Kristen) Zachary Buseman (Jaryn), Olivia Smith (Cal) and Samantha Modlin (Chris); Waverly, Leighton, and Barrett Ginapp (Keegen and Mariah); Charlotte, Preston and Dawson Ginapp (Trevor and Sarah) and Atlas Berlingmair (Katelin and Jory); 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren: Emmett (Olivia and Cal) and Jaxon (Cain and Abbey)
In March, 2011, Alex passed away and Bernie found herself alone. However, she wouldn’t be alone for long. Bernie met a gentleman, Lester Burgwardt, Jr., who became her soulmate. Bernie and Les enjoyed their time together traveling, fishing, and visiting his family. They were inseparable. Sadly, over time, Les’ health deteriorated but Bernie was there for him through it all, right up until his death in November, 2022.
Preceding Bernie in death was her husband, Alex; her parents; loving aunt and grandparents.
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