Donald “Donny” Berndt

Donald “Donny” Berndt, age 90, of Arbor Vitae, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, peacefully in his sleep after a courageous battle with cancer. He was under the care of Hospice at the Nu Roc Health and Rehabilitation Center in Laona. He was born August 31, 1935, in Wausau, to Edwin and Bertha (Nimz) Berndt.

Don graduated from Wausau High School in 1955. Upon graduation, he worked at Motor Service and Supply in Wausau, until he was drafted into the Army in 1958. He entered the Army with a rank of Army PFC-E1. His time spent in the Army took him to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and then to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland where he spent two months in Ammunition Specialist School. From there he traveled to Fort Carson, Colo., where his Army Captain requested Don receive proper clearance to accompany classified materials shipped across the U.S. via military train. Don’s job was to guard boxcars throughout the trip which took 13 days to complete. All went well, and he was proud of this responsibility. His final rank after his two years of service was SP4-E4 Ammunition Specialist. He then served four additional years in the Army Reserve.

After his time spent in the Army, he returned to Wausau, where he was again employed at Motor Service and Supply, this time for his whole working career until his time of retirement in August of 1998 — 42 total years.

Don was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Minocqua. He was a regular attendee for many years, hosting several young ministers at his home during their time of training at the church. It wasn’t until his health started to fail and his driving ended that he was unable to attend weekly church services.

Don had a love for English Springer Spaniels, and throughout his life he always had one by this side. This continued right up to the time he entered the nursing home in March 2026. Even though his beloved dog Lacey was now living with family members, she enjoyed her weekly trip to see Don and brighten his day too.

He enjoyed outdoor activities. When he was young, he loved water skiing on Little Spider Lake. He always welcomed anyone on the lake to come and ski with him. He loved teaching young skiers just starting out and always had time to pull anyone in the neighborhood with his boat. Don also enjoyed hunting grouse and deer, fishing, and loved watching any Badger sports.

After his retirement, he took a real liking to making and selling firewood. Many hundreds of cords of hardwood were cut, split, piled, dried and then delivered by Don with his truck and trailer. A labor of love for sure that he continued into his 80s.

Don is survived by sister-in-law Jean (Chuck) Berndt of Madison, nieces Lu Dudley of Rhinelander, Julie Berndt of Rhinelander, Marti (Tom) Franti of Ewen, Mich., Diane Berndt of Whitefish Bay, Denise (John) Meier of Oregon, nephews Terry (Dawn) Berndt of Rhinelander, and David Berndt of Nashville, Tenn. He is also survived by great nieces and nephews, Sam, Sarah, Will, Greer, Emma, John, Tanner, Erin, Caitlin, Abby and Logan. Also survived by 13 great, great nieces and nephews, with one more expected soon. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harold, Charles, infant brother Ronald, and sister-in-law Lucille.

The family would like to thank the staff at Compassus Hospice, the courteous home health care workers from the Veterans Administration, as well as the staff at Nu Roc Health and Rehabilitation Center in Laona for the excellent care Don received during his illness.

Visitation for Don will take place on August 24, 2026 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church-WELS, 8781 Brunswick Road, Minocqua. Memorial Service will follow at the church at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery in Wausau at 3 p.m. on August 24, 2026, following the Memorial Service. Bolger Funeral Home is assisting the family, www.bolgerfunerl.com for condolences.