Claudia Ann Bernhardt

Claudia Ann Harsche-Bernhardt peacefully passed on the morning of June 7, 2020 at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck. She valiantly fought with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with grace, resilience, and a ferocious heart. A private graveside service will be held at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Claudia was born on September 20, 1942 in Flasher to John and Tillie Harsche. Claudia loved with every cell of her being. Her legacy of teaching her children about resilience and uncompromising love is a lasting lesson that we are forever grateful. She was surrounded by her devoted family as they sent her on to her eternal resting spot next to the love of her life, Rich Bernhardt. Rich would be waiting with that incredible smile and a big hug to take her home. Their love story is one that will be told for many generations. Rich and Claudia were high school sweethearts and he enlisted into the Navy during the Vietnam War. They lost touch and Claudia married Anthony Bachmeier and had two children: Cynthia (Greg) Renee Hilfman of Topanga, CA, and John (Carrie) David Bachmeier of Dallas, TX. Claudia was stepmother to Scott (Ruth) Bachmeier of Madison, WI.

In 2001, Claudia was back in North Dakota and went with sister Marie and girlfriend Vallie to a Bernhardt family gathering and serendipity was in full effect. Claudia and Rich reunited, and he courted her sweetly back to Coastal Oregon where they were blissfully married on February 7, 2011. Rich unfortunately predeceased Claudia on December 31, 2017.

Claudia is survived by her three children, Cindi, John and Scott, her grandchildren Michael Bruning (Dominique Vera-Bruning), Los Angeles, CA, Heidi Bachmeier, Madison, WI, and Jake Newby of Las Vegas, NV; her siblings Bert Harsche, Bismarck, Dick and Madi Harsche, Bismarck, Mike and Florence Harsche, Bismarck, Dave and Deb Harsche,  Killdeer, Lee and Lori Harsche, Bismarck, and Marie and Jim Schafer, Fort Myers, FL. She was a proud aunt to many cousins, but was especially close and served as Godmother to Trudy Schafer, San Francisco, CA.

to view the graveside service click here.