Bernell S. Ebert

Bernell Sylven Ebert, 88 of Mason City, Iowa, passed away on November 23, 2025.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church, Mason City with a visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be at a later date in Marcus-Amherst Cemetery in Marcus, Iowa.

Bernell was born on August 15, 1937 in Paullina, Iowa, son of Emil and Irena (Schuknecht) Ebert. He graduated from Marcus High School and Wayne State University. He married Diane Sobotka and they had two daughters, Stephanie and Kristin. Bernell and Diane later divorced.

Bernell taught school and coached high school sports at Oxford Junction, Winfield-Mt. Union, Williamsburg and Dewitt, coaching the Oxford Junction girls’ basketball team in the state tournament in 1964. He also co-owned the lumberyard in Lowden Iowa and finished his working career as a draftsman for Eldridge Co-op Lumber.

Bernell was an avid golfer, competing in tournaments most summer weekends while he lived in Lowden. He loved the challenge of a good construction project, which became his main hobby after he retired. He enjoyed sharing his Okoboji cabin with his grandchildren, cooking meals for them and attending their activities and sporting events. In recent years he enjoyed attending performances at NIACC and Cedar Summerstock Theater with special friend, Madelyn Meier. He was a lifelong Hawkeye fan, attending many Iowa football and men’s and women’s basketball games.

Bernell is survived by his daughter, Stephanie (Scott) Duckert; grandchildren Carsen (Dylan) Kisner, Cedar Rapids and Cade Duckert (Lexi Mead), St. Ansgar; special friend, Madelyn Meier; brother, Vernon (Dorothy) Ebert and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kristin Ebert; his parents; and siblings, Marlis Donner, Leon Ebert, Marvin Ebert, Delores Means, twin sister Bernita Means and Orlan Ebert.

Memorials in Bernell’s honor may be directed to Messiah Lutheran Church or Cedar Summerstock Theater.