When Bernard "Bernie" Grieser died Aug. 12, friends said he left a legacy of love, laughter and friendship. He also left a $100,000 bequest to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment-Trust.

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Grieser (class of ’42) was represented by his adopted farmily, Doug Peterson and wife Brenda Grant, at an official presentation of the check to Wendy Dodson, executive director of the endowment.

Grieser, 89, was born Aug. 7, 1923 in North Platte. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School, graduating in 1942.

He entered the United States Army in 1943, serving in Europe during World War II from July 1, 1944 to January 3, 1946. He was deployed in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Czechoslovakia.

He was a self-employed electrician, working on electric motors for 25 years, and he maintained family rental property.

Grieser lived on an acreage with horses and dogs. He was a charter, 50-year member of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Posse, a WW II historian and avid reader. Family members said he had a great sense of humor, was very intelligent and loyal friend who cherished his Arab horse and German Shepherd Hoodoo.

Dodson gratefully accepted the bequest on behalf of the Catholic schools.

"It's an amazing gift," she said. "We are always grateful for alumni who choose to give back to our schools," she said.