Rodney Bernardin

Rodney Albert Bernardin, age 89, of Stillwater, passed away on August 4, 2025 one day before his 90th birthday. Rod was born on August 5, 1935, the son of Pierre and Martha (Kerkove) Bernardin. He grew up in Ironwood Michigan and graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1953. After high school he went to Michigan Tech and graduated in 1957 with a B. S. in Mechanical Engineering. On June 15, 1957, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Gust. Rod was a devoted family man, a devout Catholic and a long-time member of the Church of St. Michael in Stillwater where he sang in the choir for 45 years. Rod was an avid golfer, car enthusiast, and loved watching sports. Rod had a distinguished career at Honeywell and 3M where he received several patent awards for his inventions.

Rod is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Elizabeth; children, Paul (Kathy) Bernardin, Lynne Bernardin Dutcher, Ken (Joanne) Bernardin, and Dean Bernardin; grandchildren, Josh (Sara) Bernardin, Amanda (Joe) Metcalf, Justin (Jackie) Bernardin, Shelby (David) Hosier, Lauren (Chris) Hansohn, and Hunter (Natalie) Dutcher; great-grandchildren, Kayden, Miles, Logan, Camille, Charlie Rod, Everly, Audrey, Dru, Adalynn, and Graham; brother, Don Bernardin and his daughter, Donna; and several other loving family members. Preceded in death by his parents, Pierre and Martha and his in-laws Tony and Rose Gust.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Church of St. Michael, 611 S. Third St., Stillwater, MN 55082. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be at St. Michael's Cemetery in Bayport.