Bernard Dennis Dempsey "Uncle Bernard", 97, Minot died on Sunday, March 27, 2011 in the Benedictine Living Center, Garrison, surrounded by his loving family.

Bernard was born on December 31, 1913 in Mohall, ND to Dennis and Mary (Lawler) Dempsey. He was reared and educated in Mohall and Minot where he completed his education. As a young adult he was employed at the Ward County Courthouse. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and served as an airplane mechanic with the 557th Army Air Force in India and Burma during World War II. He received his honorable discharge in 1945 as a Staff Sergeant following his receipt of the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Stars and one Service Stripe as well as a Good Conduct Medal. He returned to Minot where he was employed at the Ward County Courthouse.

Bernard moved, with his brother, to Hawthorne, CA, in 1950 where he was employed by the school district. He and his brother returned to the Minot area in 1956 where they owned and operated the Logan, ND Grocery until 1967. Then, he and his brother returned to California where he was employed by the Fullerton School District as a custodian from 1967 until 1990.

They returned to Minot. Prior to his move to the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison, his great niece, Susan, was blessed with the opportunity to care for Bernard in her home from 2003 until 2008. Susan's daughters, Megan and Emily, enjoyed reading to "Berber" and taking walks and going to the Dairy Queen with him. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.

Bernard was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church of Minot and he especially enjoyed reading, playing whist and watching baseball games.

Bernard is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Helen Helm of Bismarck, Mary Dempsey-Corbett (Jim) of Ann Arbor, MI, John Dempsey of Dallas, TX, Mike Dempsey (Alice) of Baraboo, WI, Bill Dempsey of Harvey, ND, and several grand nieces and grand nephews.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Colette Tripp, Sister Carmela Dempsey and Sister Marcellita Dempsey, and brothers: Leo, Joseph and John.

Visitation : Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service : Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel Minot.
Mass of Christian Burial : Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park Minot.