Bernard L. "Bernie" Dougherty, 76, Owatonna, formerly of Luverne, died unexpectedly Friday, Jan. 4, 2002, at his home.
Services were Tuesday, Jan. 8. The Rev. Tom Hargesheimer of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Owatonna, officiated. Burial, with full military honors rendered by the Steele County Funeral Detail, was at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna.
Bernie Dougherty was born to Pete and Leone (Bahnsen) Dougherty on July 5, 1925, in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. He was raised in Elkader, Iowa, where he graduated from high school. Following high school he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942-46.
Following his discharge he married Jean Duffy on Sept. 4, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester, Iowa. Following their marriage they made their home in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1950 and served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1950-52.
After his military service the family made their home in several locations prior to moving to Luverne in 1963. In addition to other work he worked for B.F. Goodrich for several years. He then began his career in sales with Red Wing Shoes in 1963 and retired in 1988. They moved to Owatonna in 1998.
Mr. Dougherty was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Owatonna. He was a past member of Luverne V.F.W. and was a member of Owatonna Elks Club. He enjoyed golf, singing, reading, writing and was a fantasy football commissioner.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Dougherty, Owatonna; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Dan Dougherty, Sioux Falls, S.D., Shawn and Tammie Dougherty, Red Wing, and Kelly and Lisa Dougherty, Sachse, Texas; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Larry Larson, Shelly and Scott Golberg, all of Owatonna, and Amy and Jim Baldus, Mound; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry (Rose) Dougherty, Farmersburg, Iowa, and Jim (Louise) Dougherty, Des Moines, Iowa; six sisters, Jean (Jerry) Fassbinder, Postville, Iowa; Delores (Bob) Mangan, Darlene (Jack) Dittmer, all of Elkader, Janice (Junior) Hanson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jeanette (Tom) Prideaux, Marion, Iowa, and Pat Minehan, Canton, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Dougherty was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marilyn.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.
Michaelson Funeral Homes Inc., Owatonna, was in charge of arrangements.