Berns, Laurence Lloyd (Larry)

Laurence Lloyd (Larry) Berns, 86, of Elkader, died at the Guttenberg Care Center on Sunday, April 15, 2012. He was born in rural Clayton County, near Garber, on Sept. 11, 1925, the son of Laurence John and Helen (Dillon) Berns. Larry was baptized and made his First Communion at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Garber and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Strawberry Point. Larry attended Littleport High School. Larry served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946, as a tail gunner on a B 24 Liberator. He was assigned to the 451st Bomb Group out of Foggia, Italy, in the European theater. On March 21, 1945, Larry was shot down over Hungary, wounded and received the Purple Heart and POW medal. Larry also received the Presidential Unit Citation, American Theater of Operations medal, Four Star European Theater Award, Air Medal Oak Leaf Cluster, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Larry was a lifetime member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War and American Legion Post #388, St. Olaf, Iowa.

Larry was married to Marguerite Ehrhardt on Nov. 25, 1946, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elkader. Nine children were blessed to this union. Marguerite passed away June 3, 1989. On March 20, 1992, Larry married Ethelyn Herrmann at St. John's Lutheran Church, Farmersburg.

Larry worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and then farmed in Clayton County. He owned and operated Larry Berns Insurance Agency in Farmersburg and served for many years on the board of directors of Farmers Mutual Insurance Garnavillo. After retiring, he continued to be a very active advocate for veteran and American Ex-POW groups and individuals serving as the State Commander of the Iowa Ex-POW Chapter.

Larry was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elkader where he enjoyed serving on many committees.

Survivors include his wife, Ethelyn Berns of Elkader; sons, Greg Berns of Oelwein, and Jim (Lorraine) Berns of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughters, Mary (Dave) Engeltjes of Spirit Lake, Helen (El) Shew of Cedar Creek, Neb., Janet Lillie of Rochester, Minn., Joanne (Rafe) Koopman of Garnavillo, Colleen (Frank) Lindauer of Longmont, Colo., Karen (Larry) Nation of Rochester, Minn., and Kathy Berns of Louisville, Ky.; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two stepchildren, Linda (Thad) Gavin of Coralville, and David (Dawn) Herrmann of High Point, N.C.; one stepgrandson; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite Berns; grandson, Aaron Berns; and sister, Norma Fischer.

A memorial fund has been established.

Leonard Funeral Home of Elkader is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left with .

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 20, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader, with the Very Rev. Paul R. Peters and the Rev. Eric Berns as con-celebrants. Interment with Military Honors: Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Elkader. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Leonard Funeral Home in Elkader, with a Scripture service at 7 p, m. Friends may also call one hour before mass Friday at the church.

Published in The Gazette April 18, 2012.