Bernard "Bernie" Edward Bree

Col. Bernard Edward “Bernie” Bree, 88, of San Jose, passed away at his home at 2:37 a.m., on Friday, June 19, 2026. He was born August 10, 1937, in San Jose, to Clarence and Vivian (Jumper) Bree. He married the love of his life, Nancy Nelson, in San Jose, on June 26, 1960. She preceded him in death on May 2, 2011. Col. Bree is survived by two children: Scott Bree, and Ingrid (Brad) Martin, all of San Jose; three granddaughters: Nancy Martin, Bethany (Katie) Martin, and Kimberly Martin; four great-grandchildren: Damian, Lennox, Sylvie, and Ivy Ann; as well as siblings: Bill Bree, of Lincoln, Illinois, and Donna Garczynski, of Rogers, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Bob Bree, and one grandson, Matthew Bree. During his time here on earth, Bernie held many titles – son, brother, husband, dad, father-in-law, uncle, grandpa, great grandpa, Army Veteran, carpenter, farmer, auctioneer, liquor store proprietor, and the (self-proclaimed) “grouchiest old man in Mason County” to name a few. He was “grandpa Bernie” to many more than just his four grandchildren and great-grandchildren – “once you’re a grandpa - you’re a grandpa to all” was one of his many well used phrases. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting clocks, oil lamps, & tractors, and taking things apart to figure out how they worked and putting them back together. He never missed a chance to learn and seemed to know at least a little something about most things - and knew how to ask “the blue box” when there was something he needed to know more about. Prior to the love of his life, Nancy, passing they shared a love for auctions, traveling to Door County, Nebraska, the Ozarks, and anywhere else Bernie didn’t have to turn left to go! They were members of the Pyrotechnics Guild International. When they began going to the annual convention, Bernie would build 8” shells, while Nancy learned how to make sparklers and sprinkles pop out of the center of a cake. Bernie and Nancy were both members of the San Jose United Methodist Church. The story he told was that he started taking his little sister to Sunday School once he saw Nancy helping with Sunday School one Sunday. They shared 50 wonderful years together and now will spend eternity together in Heaven. Bernie was a carpenter and later became an auctioneer. He completed auctioneer school in 1976 and retired in 2024. During his time as an auctioneer, he owned Bree Haus Auction, worked as an auctioneer at Pfeiffer’s Auction House, and sold with many other local auctioneers through community sales, charity auctions, and other partnerships. One of the events he looked forward to every year was auctioning the United Bowhunters of Illinois auction. Visitation will be held on Tuesday. July 14, 2026, from 5-7pm at San Jose United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held Wednesday July 15, 2026 at 10am, also at his church. Burial will follow the services at Green Hill Cemetery, near San Jose. Rev. Charlie McDonald will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to San Jose United Methodist Church or San Jose Fire Department. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com. Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of arrangements.

Bernard "Bernie" Edward Bree

August 10, 1937 - June 19, 2026

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