Bernard F. Fairbanks

Bernard F. Fairbanks, age 93, entered his eternal life on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Heritage of Bel-Air in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Spalding, NE with Rev. Lawrence Vadakkan officiating. Interment will take place at the parish cemetery with Military Rites conducted by American Legion Post #299 of Spalding, Air Force Funeral Honor Guard, and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Bernard was born April 28, 1933, in Rochester, Minnesota to George and Lena (Brisson) Fairbanks. He had one brother, Jim. They lived in Red Wing, Minnesota throughout his youth, and summer trips to visit family were later a highlight for Bernard and his family.

He joined the Air Force in 1952 and actively served his country for 4 years as an air traffic controller, serving in Korea during the Korean War. He was then stationed at Davis-Monthan in Tucson, AZ.

Bernard and Mary K. met at a dance in Omaha, where Mary K. was living. On September 5, 1953, they married at St. Peters Catholic Church in Omaha. Their faith was of extreme importance to them, and they passed this on to their children.

After a year in Tucson, they lived for a time in Minneapolis, MN, and then Fort Collins, CO, before moving to Spalding (Mary K’s hometown). They became active members of the community and of St. Michael’s church and Spalding Academy. Bernard drove the school bus to games, was a fixture at ball games keeping books for the teams and cheered on his children and later his grandchildren.

Agriculture was in his bones, having spent summers on his grandfather’s farm while growing up. After moving to Spalding, he worked for an electric company and then Bryan Milling and Grain before starting C&F Farm Supply with Harry Cockerill. He later worked for Dick and Jack Mosier.

Bernard served on the Spalding Village Board, Cottonwoods Greens Board, St. Michael’s Church Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus and was Past Commander of the American Legion.

He loved sports, playing football, basketball and track in high school and was an avid golfer, bowler, and softball player. Games with his family were a frequent highlight including cards, board games and croquet. He was very competitive but unfortunately was unable to win the annual croquet tournament. His legacy as a competitor lives on in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to mourn his passing include his wife of 72 years, Mary K. and 8 children: Jean (Paul) Nordhues of Bartlett, NE; Kevin (Becky) Fairbanks of Lincoln, NE; Joseph (Pat) Fairbanks of Elkhorn, WI; Kathryn (Dennis) Ackman of Columbus, NE; Patrick (Peggy) Fairbanks of Springfield, NE; Susanne (Ron) Penne of Pierce, NE; Paul (Rosa) Fairbanks of Belleville, IL; Nancy (Dan) Fairbanks of Tucson, AZ; 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, Sister-in-law Donna Lee Fairbanks of Red Wing, Minnesota, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Those who pre-deceased him were infant daughter Rose Ellen, his parents George and Lena, parents-in-law Frank and Anna Bernt, brother Jim Fairbanks, sister-in-law Betty Peterson and her husband Pete, and brother-in-law Jerome Bernt and his wife Yvonne.

The family wishes to thank the many people in Spalding who helped keep Bernard at home in Spalding for as long as possible due to his illness.