Billings Gazette Billings, Montana
Bernie was born Dec. 4, 1930, in Lavina. His parents were Melvin and Bertha Rasmusson. Born and raised in the Lavina area, Bernie was playing the trumpet, sax and trombone in his parents dance band from the age of 10. He convinced his mom to let him play a fiddle that belonged to his grandmother. The rest is Montana old time fiddling history!
Following high school, he served in the army, stationed most of his time in the San Francisco area, where he met Juanita Nation, the mother of his two daughters, Linda and Laurie. Bernie played in the army band during those years.
On June 10, 1960, Bernie married Alice Kraft of Billings. After a few years they moved to Polson, Montana, and shared many wonderful years where he worked as a mechanic for local auto dealerships. After a few years, he was found to have osteoporosis, an inherited disease which, over the years whittled more than 10 inches from his 6'2" frame. He got his barber's license and barbered until moving to Billings in the late 80's.
After Alice's death in 1994, Bernie met Dolores Clark of Billings. Together, they enjoyed each others companionship and had a mutual passion for music. Bernie and Dolores entertained audiences for the past several years, and eventually married July 18, 2002.
Bernie was known and loved widely for his fiddling. He competed regularly in the state's old time fiddler's contest which was held for many years in Polson. He won the state title three times and regularly placed in the top three. He was the association's president for three terms.
Bernie was the first recipient of the Montana Governor's award for the arts. His home is a veritable showcase of trophies and various awards for his music and time given to the art.
Bernie loved people, and people loved Bernie as many have danced to and have been blessed by his music. Through great physical difficulties, he never seemed short of having a smile, a joke or a great story to liven someone's day.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores of Billings; daughters, Linda and her husband, Jerry Praetzel of Polson, and Laurie Reaka of Billings; two granddaughters; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings. Interment will take place at the Lavina Cemetery.
Bernie was born Dec. 4, 1930, in Lavina. His parents were Melvin and Bertha Rasmusson. Born and raised in the Lavina area, Bernie was playing the trumpet, sax and trombone in his parents dance band from the age of 10. He convinced his mom to let him play a fiddle that belonged to his grandmother. The rest is Montana old time fiddling history!
Following high school, he served in the army, stationed most of his time in the San Francisco area, where he met Juanita Nation, the mother of his two daughters, Linda and Laurie. Bernie played in the army band during those years.
On June 10, 1960, Bernie married Alice Kraft of Billings. After a few years they moved to Polson, Montana, and shared many wonderful years where he worked as a mechanic for local auto dealerships. After a few years, he was found to have osteoporosis, an inherited disease which, over the years whittled more than 10 inches from his 6'2" frame. He got his barber's license and barbered until moving to Billings in the late 80's.
After Alice's death in 1994, Bernie met Dolores Clark of Billings. Together, they enjoyed each others companionship and had a mutual passion for music. Bernie and Dolores entertained audiences for the past several years, and eventually married July 18, 2002.
Bernie was known and loved widely for his fiddling. He competed regularly in the state's old time fiddler's contest which was held for many years in Polson. He won the state title three times and regularly placed in the top three. He was the association's president for three terms.
Bernie was the first recipient of the Montana Governor's award for the arts. His home is a veritable showcase of trophies and various awards for his music and time given to the art.
Bernie loved people, and people loved Bernie as many have danced to and have been blessed by his music. Through great physical difficulties, he never seemed short of having a smile, a joke or a great story to liven someone's day.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores of Billings; daughters, Linda and her husband, Jerry Praetzel of Polson, and Laurie Reaka of Billings; two granddaughters; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings. Interment will take place at the Lavina Cemetery.
Billings Gazette Billings, Montana
Bernie was born Dec. 4, 1930, in Lavina. His parents were Melvin and Bertha Rasmusson. Born and raised in the Lavina area, Bernie was playing the trumpet, sax and trombone in his parents dance band from the age of 10. He convinced his mom to let him play a fiddle that belonged to his grandmother. The rest is Montana old time fiddling history!
Following high school, he served in the army, stationed most of his time in the San Francisco area, where he met Juanita Nation, the mother of his two daughters, Linda and Laurie. Bernie played in the army band during those years.
On June 10, 1960, Bernie married Alice Kraft of Billings. After a few years they moved to Polson, Montana, and shared many wonderful years where he worked as a mechanic for local auto dealerships. After a few years, he was found to have osteoporosis, an inherited disease which, over the years whittled more than 10 inches from his 6'2" frame. He got his barber's license and barbered until moving to Billings in the late 80's.
After Alice's death in 1994, Bernie met Dolores Clark of Billings. Together, they enjoyed each others companionship and had a mutual passion for music. Bernie and Dolores entertained audiences for the past several years, and eventually married July 18, 2002.
Bernie was known and loved widely for his fiddling. He competed regularly in the state's old time fiddler's contest which was held for many years in Polson. He won the state title three times and regularly placed in the top three. He was the association's president for three terms.
Bernie was the first recipient of the Montana Governor's award for the arts. His home is a veritable showcase of trophies and various awards for his music and time given to the art.
Bernie loved people, and people loved Bernie as many have danced to and have been blessed by his music. Through great physical difficulties, he never seemed short of having a smile, a joke or a great story to liven someone's day.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores of Billings; daughters, Linda and her husband, Jerry Praetzel of Polson, and Laurie Reaka of Billings; two granddaughters; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings. Interment will take place at the Lavina Cemetery.
Bernie was born Dec. 4, 1930, in Lavina. His parents were Melvin and Bertha Rasmusson. Born and raised in the Lavina area, Bernie was playing the trumpet, sax and trombone in his parents dance band from the age of 10. He convinced his mom to let him play a fiddle that belonged to his grandmother. The rest is Montana old time fiddling history!
Following high school, he served in the army, stationed most of his time in the San Francisco area, where he met Juanita Nation, the mother of his two daughters, Linda and Laurie. Bernie played in the army band during those years.
On June 10, 1960, Bernie married Alice Kraft of Billings. After a few years they moved to Polson, Montana, and shared many wonderful years where he worked as a mechanic for local auto dealerships. After a few years, he was found to have osteoporosis, an inherited disease which, over the years whittled more than 10 inches from his 6'2" frame. He got his barber's license and barbered until moving to Billings in the late 80's.
After Alice's death in 1994, Bernie met Dolores Clark of Billings. Together, they enjoyed each others companionship and had a mutual passion for music. Bernie and Dolores entertained audiences for the past several years, and eventually married July 18, 2002.
Bernie was known and loved widely for his fiddling. He competed regularly in the state's old time fiddler's contest which was held for many years in Polson. He won the state title three times and regularly placed in the top three. He was the association's president for three terms.
Bernie was the first recipient of the Montana Governor's award for the arts. His home is a veritable showcase of trophies and various awards for his music and time given to the art.
Bernie loved people, and people loved Bernie as many have danced to and have been blessed by his music. Through great physical difficulties, he never seemed short of having a smile, a joke or a great story to liven someone's day.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores of Billings; daughters, Linda and her husband, Jerry Praetzel of Polson, and Laurie Reaka of Billings; two granddaughters; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings. Interment will take place at the Lavina Cemetery.
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