Bernie Zerfas

BERNHARDT FREDRICK "BERNIE" ZERFAS, died Wednesday, June 9, 2010, just short of his 94th birthday. He left as his legacy to his children and grandchildren an example of a true Christian life exemplified by honesty, integrity, hard work, commitment to family, respect for others and an abiding faith in God.Bernie was born in 1916, in a house built by his Austrian immigrant grandparents in Ellis. He grew up milking cows in the morning before walking miles to a one-room school house and, as he said, spent his summers," looking at the rear ends of three horses" pulling a Sulkey plow across hard ground of his family farm. During the wheat harvest his father had to build a platform for young Bernie to stand on so he could see over the horses as he steered them.Bernie remembered well the Great Depression when times were so hard, his parents home burned down, and his father fell ill, and Bernie worked for neighbors cleaning barns and hauling manure for less than a dollar a day -- which he gave to his parents. Graduating in 1934 from Trego High School, he immediately sought work, at one time living in the basement at his employment to save money. Out of these experiences, and family example, came a life-long habit of thrift and aversion to borrowing.Through it all, the family had their Lutheran faith. In addition to regular church services, Bernie spent two years of confirmation study learning German bible verses at St. John's Lutheran Church. Living with his grandmother in high school, he also spoke her native German with her, a skill he maintained throughout his life, together with the family traditions of sausage, strudel, hemmitschwengers, and German hot potato salad.In 1942, Bernie married his first and only steady girlfriend, Martha Meisner, or as he said: "God blessed me with Martha." Martha complimented his life, praised and gave confidence to the shy and insecure young man. In 1943, Bernie was drafted and served in the Army in Europe until 1946. As a battalion supply sergeant, he was instructed to "get whatever the troops needed." He did his job as he did all jobs, diligently and honorably, even using POWs in Germany to surreptitiously acquire heating fuel for the American Army. Bernie loved arithmetic in school and had hoped to go to college after the war. But, again, he had to go to work. Martha shared his frugal ways, raising baby chicks, making and selling pot holders, and saving money until they could pay cash but all the while enjoying their family and friends with annual trips to Colorado and late-night bridge games. Bernie took great pride in their two daughters, Sidney Sproul, now of Wichita, and Peggy Tomlinson-Poswall of Lincoln, California and he beamed at the accomplishments and work ethic of his grandchildren, Lisa Tomlinson of Seattle, Washington and Lindsay Sproul of Westwood, Kansas. When Martha fell ill and required dialysis, Bernie retired at age 62 and for 6 years cared for her until her death in 1984. Thereafter, feeling unproductive, he returned to various jobs. And, liking to meet people, he was the greeter at his church, and volunteered at the Hays Medical Center. His disappointment at not getting the job as a greeter at Wal-Mart, when in his 80s, was alleviated by his eight years, until near 90, as a "carry-out boy" at Dillon's Market. In 1987, Bernie married Irene Keller. Together, they enjoyed dancing, playing cards, and time with her children and grandchildren, all of whom adopted him as their own. In 2010, Bernie and Irene sold their home in Hays and entered assisted living. Irene survives him as does his sister, Irene Mounkes of Tecumseh, Kansas.Bernie was a member of the VFW, the Hays Masonic Lodge, and a life member of the Bukovina Society. He served on the Councils of St. John's in Ellis, Trinity Lutheran in Hays, and Lutheran Church in Manhattan. On his 90th birthday; Bernie was honored by over 400 friends at a dinner/dance. Bernie insisted on greeting everyone and dancing every dance with whomever would dance with him -- and was able to keep up with his fast pace polka.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 15 at 11 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort St., in Hays followed by a reception and all who knew this wonderful, humble man are invited. Burial will be at 2:00 P.M. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Ellis. Military Honors by the Hays VFW. Visitation will occur on Monday evening, 4 to 8 p.m. at Brock's North Hill Chapel, 2509 Vine Street in Hays. Contributions are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church in Ellis or the Bukovinia Society.











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