Jo Ann Berninghaus, age 86, of Osakis, died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Galeon in Osakis.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria, with Pastor Jonathan Jahnke officiating. Interment will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2nd, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria, concluding with a prayer service and time of sharing. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Jo Ann was born on August 4, 1940, to William and Iva (Bell) Bargman at home on the family farm in Rodman, Iowa. She was the third of six children. She was raised on the family farm alongside her siblings and attended Rodman High School, where she played trumpet in the band and basketball with her sisters. She graduated in 1959 with a class of seven. Following graduation, she attended community college and completed a secretarial program. Jo married the man of her dreams, Gus Berninghaus on February 10, 1963, at Peace Lutheran Church in West Bend. The couple started their family before moving to Osakis in 1969, where they continued farming. Jo stayed home to raise their three children while also helping milk cows and complete the many chores that came with farm life. Jo was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Osakis, where she was involved with the LWML and Quilters Group, and taught Sunday School. She continued her church involvement at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, serving in VBS and LWML. Over the years, Jo held a variety of jobs and found many ways to serve others. She cooked at the Walleye Lodge, worked at Pete’s County Market, provided in-home health care for close friends and family, and cared for her grandchildren. She also cleaned Osakis City Hall and Community Center, delivered Meals on Wheels, and shared her love of music by singing at weddings and funerals. Above all, Jo’s greatest joy was her family. She was her grandchildren’s biggest—and often loudest—fan, faithfully cheering them on at their school events and activities. She enjoyed reading, tending to her flower gardens, watching birds, and simply taking in nature. Jo found happiness in caring for the people she loved, being part of her church and community, and sharing in the everyday moments of family life. Her family will cherish her memory forever.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gus in 2025; infant brother Milton Bargman; brother William “Billy” Bargman; and sister Maralee Langholtz.

Jo is survived by her daughters, Debra (Chet) Hull of Osakis and Tracy (Butch) Caughey of Brainerd; son, Michael (Sharein) Berninghaus of Long Prairie; brother, George (Linda) Bargman; sister Janel Johnson; seven grandchildren, Donald (Beth) Caughey, Samantha (Ben) Rau, Robert Hull, Bryce Berninghaus, Joseph (Rae Lanzrath) Hull, Timothy (Alyssa Boysen) Hull, and Micayla Caughey; five great-grandchildren, Westley, Grace, Lydia, Oliver, and Audrey; and many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Linda Rauschendorfer for the kindness, care, and support they gave to Jo and her family.