Bernard M. Reiland, 97

Bernard M. Reiland, age 97, of Mazeppa, died on Monday, July 16, at the Golden Living Center in Rochester where he resided since April 2005.

He was born on June 20, 1915, in Pine Island Township, Goodhue County, to John and Elizabeth (Marx) Reiland. Bernard was the second youngest of five boys: John, Nick, Max, and Walter. Although he rather would have been farming, Bernard attended school in District #109 in Pine Island Township. He was a dairy farmer and took over the family farm in 1939. The farm has been in the Reiland family since 1874, when Bernard's ancestors came to the U.S.A. from Bech, Luxembourg. On June 14, 1939, Bernard married Cyril Elizabeth Barry at St. Columbkill Catholic Church in Belle Creek Township, Goodhue County, after meeting her as a teacher at District #109, when Bernard's dad was on the school board and would house the school teachers at the farm. He sold milk to Rochester Dairy (Zumbrota) and then to AMPI in Rochester for 43 years, the second longest patron. Bernard sold his cows in 1982 and his chickens in 1992, which they sold a lot of eggs to residents around the area.

Bernard was the last clerk for the school district #109 from 1950-1956, following Vernon Smith. There were no children attending the school after the spring of 1942, but the clerk had to pay District #809 for kids to go to school in Mazeppa. Bernard was on the Mazeppa School Board from 1958-1970 and the last 8 years as the clerk and treasurer. He was a trustee for Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church for 39 years from 1941-1980. Bernard was actively involved in building the new church and was an usher for many years. He was recognized in 2005 as being the longest member of the former REA (Rural Electric Association) and then Goodhue County Co-op Electric and was a member since 1939.

Bernard is survived by his son Bernard J. (Ella-May) Reiland of White Bear Lake; daughters, Margaret Tri of Mazeppa, Elizabeth (Joe) Melvin of Rochester, Helen (Mike Holtorf) Reiland of Mazeppa, and Rose (Stan) Ferguson of Dodge Center; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Bernard was preceded in death by his wife, Cyril Elizabeth, who died on March 5, 1997; son John Francis; brothers and their wives, John (Sarah), Nick (Mary), Max (Ethel), Walter; son-in-law Don Tri; nephew Bill Reiland; niece Mary Lou "Tootie" (Reiland) McLaughlin.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 20, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Mazeppa with Father Robert Meyer presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., with a rosary service at 7 p.m., on Thursday, July 19, at Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota, and for 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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