Bernard "Jug" Bower, age 51 of rural Mahnomen, MN, died March 18, 2012 at his residence.

Bernard DeWayne Bower, son of Orville and Rudella (Weaver) Bower, was born on December 9, 1960 in White Earth, MN. He spent most of his childhood in the Minneapolis, MN, area. Following his high school graduation, Jug attended Northwest Technical College in Bemidji where he earned dual associates degrees in carpentry and business. Jug owned his own business as an independent contract, working mostly in Bemidji, Cass Lake, and Red Lake areas. Due to health conditions, he was currently retired and making his home near Roy Lake, MN.

Jug was an excellent carpenter and was always busy working with wood or tinkering on old trucks. He enjoyed listening to oldies music, watching boxing, and playing cards, especially cribbage. He also had a passion for Indian law and studied the topic whenever he was able. Jug treasured time with his family and spent many hours hanging out with friends. He had a very contagious laugh and a smile that lit up the room. His wonderful sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

Bernard is survived by his children: DeWayne Bower of White Earth, MN, Angel (Larry) Loveless of Owensboro, KY, Carsen Bower of Portland, OR, Rudolph White, Billy White, and Kristin (Pete) Headbird, all of Cass Lake, MN; two brothers, Orville "Casper" (Laurie) Bower of Waubun, MN, and David Bower Sr. of Duluth, MN; one sister, JoDean (Geno Kegg Sr.) Bower of Mille Lacs, MN; 11 grandchildren: Dominque, Nerissa, Natalie, Dylan, Christopher, Pete, Benny "Headbird", Jayden, Larry "Bubba", Tyler, and Ethan; aunts and uncles: Sharon (Jim) Brandon, Ruby Weaver, Vernon (Toni) Weaver, Shirley Weaver, and Gloria (Jim) LaFriniere; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sandra Bower.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 am on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at White Earth Community Center in White Earth led by Oscar Oppegard with the White Earth Boyz Drum Group. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Weaver Sr., Stacey Weaver, Raymond Weaver, Orville Bower Jr., William Weaver and Michael Bower. Honorary Bearers will include David Bower Sr., DeWayne Bower, Jim Brandon and all Jug's family.

Visitation will begin Wednesday, March 21st at 5:00 pm and continue until the time of the funeral service on Thursday. There will be a prayer service Wednesday at 7 pm, all at the White Earth Community Center.

Burial will be in the Strawberry Lake Mennonite Cemetery, rural White Earth, MN.