Lee worked on the family farm in Milliken and graduated from Milliken High School in 1953. He attended the University of Northern Colorado, graduating in 1957. After graduation from UNC, he taught Driver’s Education and coached basketball at Milliken High School.

Lee was drafted in the United States Army in 1958, stationed in White Sands, New Mexico. After a twoyear tour, he was discharged, only to be drafted again a short time later.

After his second tour, he returned to Milliken and started Lee’s Used Cars, where he sold cars, car parts, and provided painting service until he retired in 2013.

Lee’s passion was collecting arrowheads and reading the local newspapers and the Wall Street Journal for all the stocks he invested in. He also enjoyed running to the river next to his property in Milliken, and cheering on his favorite sports teams including the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors. He also enjoyed taking trips to Blackhawk and Las Vegas.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Esther Bernhardt; his brother, Delbert Bernhardt; his son, James Bernhardt; and his grandson, Daniel Bernhardt.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Bernhardt; sister, Charlotte Bjoralt; brother, Herb Bernhardt; sister-inlaw, Pat Bernhardt; children, Constance (Don) Schmidt and Carol Ann (Lee) Serna; daughter-in-law, Lynn Bernhardt; stepsons, Leiton (Angel) Powell and Loren (Tina) Powell; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are at 10 a.m. March 10 at Adamson’s Funeral Home in Greeley, with internment services to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley.