Bernhard L. Orfield

Bernhard (Bernie) Leland Orfield passed away unexpectedly on July 8, 2026, at the age of 88.

Bernie was born in Jackson, Minnesota, to Leland and Marie Orfield on April 24, 1938. He attended schools in the Minneapolis area and graduated in 1956 from Southwest High School in Minneapolis. He later graduated from Mankato State University with a Masters in Math and Science Education.

Bernie married Mary Datta in 1965 and they had two children, Eric and Sue.

Bernie had a fantastic wood shop in the basement of the home he and Mary built together. Here he made tons of gifts for friends and family, including bookshelves, boxes, clocks, picture frames, tables and more. He also built and remodeled many homes for himself and his family.

He was a life long teacher - and this began with his more than 30 year teaching career at Menomonie Junior High School, teaching math and science.

He had a great sense of humor, and many of his one liners will live on with us. For example, when asked if he’d like a helping of broccoli, he would often say, “The thing about vegetables is they are made out of vegetables.” Also his favorite poem for us kids was, “You shake and shake the ketchup bottle, none will come and then a lottle.”

He loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved to listen to live music. He would often sing along with Randy from the audience, when he knew the song. He loved cars and motorcycles of all kinds, and loved to tinker with all of them.

Bernie was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Orfield, his parents, Leland and Marie (nee Bouman) Orfield, his brother Henry and sister-in-law Nancy Orfield, and his brother-in-law John Datta.

Bernie is survived by his two children and their spouses, son Eric (Dawn) Orfield of Green Bay, daughter Sue (Randy Sinz) Orfield of Eau Claire, foster son Rob Young of Menomonie, as well as three grandchildren, Lauren (Ben) Flynn, Paige (Colin) Duffy and Noelle Orfield, and three great-grandchildren, Callahan and Lillian Duffy, and Sydney Flynn. He is also survived by sister Barbara (Neal) Loken, brother Ron (Nancy) Orfield, brother-in-law Paul (Sue) Datta and Joanne Datta, and lots of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Bernie at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI on July 17th, 2026 from 4 - 7 pm. Beginning at 6 pm we welcome the sharing of memories and stories about Bernie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Bridge To Hope (Menomonie, WI) or a Humane Society of your choice.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com