Bruce Bernhagen, 59, died unexpectedly on January 1, 2016, while sleeping in his favorite recliner. He was a lifelong mechanic, starting at the family business Bernhagen Chevrolet and most recently working at M&J Marine in Kronenwetter. But that's enough about his work. He believed in a life where you worked to live, and not the other way around. So onto life! Bruce was born in Marshfield, WI, on August 12, 1956 to Bill and Shirley (Grover) Bernhagen of Junction City. He was the second in what would ultimately become a rambunctious troop of five brothers. He graduated from Stevens Point Area Senior High in 1974, a year before he met the love of his life in a Junction City pool hall on Valentine's Day 1975. Bruce and his bride (which he called her every single day of their long and happy marriage), Gale M. Wolloch, were married at St. Mary's Church in Custer, WI, on June 18, 1977. Though they weren't sure they wanted kids at first, they eventually made the supremely wise decision to have Lindsay and Andy. If you knew Bruce, then you probably already know a lot about his kids because he was pretty proud of them—not just for their accomplishments, but for the people they became (thanks, of course, to his influence). They were his world, and he talked about them, with that beaming ear-to-ear grin of his, every day. A list of his hobbies over the years includes: motorcycling, go-karting, ice racing, chainsaw carving, tinkering with breakable RC vehicles, boating, ice fishing, drinking J. Bavet and Diet Coke out of a free plastic cup he got from his daughter's college in 2003, golfing, snowmobiling, traveling, and (because he was a Wisconsinite through and through) never missing a Packer game. His absolute favorite pastime was having his whole family in his Malibu boat and spending summer weekends cruising around Lake DuBay. He is survived by his beautiful wife of nearly 39 years, Gale, his daughter Dr. Lindsay of Columbus, Ohio, his son Andy and Andy's girlfriend Caitlin Lundquist of Junction City, his parents, mother-in-law Dorothy Wolloch of Plover, brothers Corky (Mary) of Junction City, Danny (Shari) of New London, and Billy (Fancy) of Corpus Christi, TX, cousins Pam (Rich) Schmidt of Junction City and Ann (Jason) Robbins of Dickinson, ND, godchildren Colton Wolloch of Plover and Hannah Bernhagen of Marshfield, and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandpets, and friends both young and old. Bruce was preceded in death by his older brother Al and his father-in-law, Lucas Wolloch. Bruce disliked wearing a suit almost as much as he disliked dancing, but he did appreciate a good tale. For that reason, his family requests that attendees come dressed in whatever makes them feel comfortable and that they bring a story about Bruce to share. Family will receive relatives and friends from 10am until 1pm Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Martens/Rembs Funeral Home in Junction City. A prayer service will be held at 1pm followed by family and friends sharing their memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Junction City Sundowners Snowmobile Club or to the Portage County Humane Society. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com