Bernard E. Hughes

Bernard Emmett Hughes was born February 20, 1925, in Poplar, Montana, to William J. and Loretta (McCann) Hughes.  At the age of one his mother died and he moved in with his Aunt Mary & Uncle Pat McGeary in the  Benson, Minnesota area.  At age 11, he moved to St. Paul to live with his Dad and siblings.  While living in St. Paul he attended Mechanical Arts High School and during the summers worked on the farm at Benson.  He joined the US Marines in 1943 and served in Saipan, Tinain and Marianas Islands (Japan).  Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to St. Paul, and one of his jobs was as driver for Governor Ed Thye.  He married Evelyn Svobodny on September 20, 1949, in St. Paul.  After marriage they moved to the Randolph-Northfield area to farm.  They farmed near Highway 19 for ten years prior to purchasing the current farm in 1959.  In 1963, Bernie began his career with John Deere and operated Hughes Equipment in Northfield until selling in 1981.  He then built the Northfield Ballroom which he operated until retiring.

Bernie was a member of the Church of St. Dominic where he was very involved with and greatly supported the building of the current church and rectory.  He was a member and past commander of the Northfield VFW, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Northfield American Legion.  He was a former member and past president of the Northfield Lions Club and former Chairman and longtime member of the DJJD's Committee.  In 1985 he was the recipient of the Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award.  Bernie loved to go dancing and enjoyed driving horses and working the farm.  He was kind, generous, loved his family and being on the farm with his dog Windsor.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Eva and George Damian of Eagan; his son and daughter-in-law, Pat and Angela Hughes of O'Fallon, Missouri; 11 grandchildren: George, Michael, James, Cecilia and John Damian, Megan, Emily, Brandon, Madison, Kylie and Keaton Hughes; his half-brother, Donald Hughes of St. Paul; 5 sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife on June 3, 1973, 2 sisters: Sister John Anthony and Dolores Gonda; and 5 brothers: Lloyd, Walter, Chauncey, Harry, Kenneth and Lawrence.

Bernie passed away Friday morning, April 18, 2008, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, at the age of 83.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 4 PM Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield with Fr. Dennis Dempsey and Fr. Stephen O'Gara.  Music will be provided by Marlys Mouser.  Interment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, Northfield.  Casket bearers will be George J. Damian, George Damian, Michael Damian, James Damian, Megan Hughes and Emily Hughes.  Visitation will be at the church beginning at 12 Noon until the time of the service.

Memorials are preferred to the Bernard Hughes Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.