Ret. MAJOR GARRY DEAN BERNDT, age 53, of Eagle River, Alaska, formerly of Ellsworth, died Thursday, May 5, 2016 at his home. He was born on April 20, 1963 in Yankton, SD; to parents, George, Sr. and Barbara (Holiday) Berndt.  He attended school at Ellsworth, MN; and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1981. Garry received his Bachelor of Science Degree at Dakota State College in 1985, his Master Education and Psychology at Southern Mississippi in 1989 and his PA at University of Oklahoma in 1994.
Garry retired from the United States Army in 2009 after serving over 23 years. He served many oversea tours in Kuwait, Iraq, Bosnia and Germany.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, football, hockey and he loved Alaska.
Garry is survived by his father George Berndt, Sr. Ellsworth, MN; two daughters, Destiny and Aurora Berndt, Eagle River, AK; two siblings, Brenda Berndt, Ellsworth; Terry Berndt, Ellsworth;  nephew, Trevor; nieces, Barbara, Mya and Rayna; aunts, uncles and cousins; and best friends James Larson and Hazen Baron
He was preceded in death by his mother; and brother, Jr.
A time of fellowship will be from 4-8 pm Thursday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian; and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Funeral will be Friday at 10 am at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian. Burial will be at 2:00 pm Friday at the Tyndall Cemetery in Tyndall, SD, with full military honors.

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