Bernard "Bernie" W. Faanes, 71, of Eau Claire, died Thursday, February 12, 2004 at Luther Hospital. He was born in Barron, Wisconsin on April 23, 1932, the son of Oscar and Helen (Hanson) Faanes. Bernard married Beverly Heimstadt-Schmaltz at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Eau Claire in 1964. He attended two years at Barron High School and graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1951. \r\nHe served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. He is a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #305.\r\nHe worked at Bunny Bread Bakery, later as a mason, and tended bar in Eau Claire for several years.\r\nBernie was a great left handed pitcher also known as "South Paw". He pitched for Dallas, Barron, Lake Hallie, Twin Cities Sports and several other local teams. His love for baseball stayed with him throughout his life.\r\nBernard is survived by two sons, Jeff (Dawn) Faanes and Rick Faanes; daughter, LeAnn (Kent) Walbeck and their mother Beverly Zich all of Eau Claire; seven grandchildren, Holly, Leah, Leonda, Andrea and Jacob Faanes, Blake Hort, and Lillee Walbeck; two brothers, Oscar (Betty), and Maynard (Joann) Faanes both of Eau Claire; sister, Sandra (Robert) Donovan of Silverton, OR; sister-in-law, Edna Faanes of Eau Claire; many nieces and nephews and friends.\r\nBernard was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Clara Thompson; and a brother, Thorvald Faanes.\r\nFuneral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, February 16, 2004 at St. John's Lutheran Church with Pastor Thomas W. Bryan officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery where VFW Post #305 will conduct military graveside rites. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home is serving the family. Friends and family may call an hour prior to services Monday at the church.\r\n

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