Jace Riley Berndt

Jace Riley Berndt, 29, of North Branch, Minnesota, passed away on March 6, 2026, following a snowmobile accident on the Arrowhead State Trail north of Orr, Minnesota.

Born on February 28, 1997, in Atlanta, Georgia, Jace moved to Minnesota where he graduated from Century High School in Rochester. He went on to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heavy Construction Equipment Technology from Dakota County Technical College in 2017. Jace worked as a Maintenance Mechanic for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, serving the Crystal, Blaine, and Flying Cloud reliever airports. He took great pride in his work and the important role he played in keeping those facilities safe and operational.

Jace had a profound love for animals and the outdoors. He volunteered at the Northwoods Humane Society in Wyoming, Minnesota, where his gentle spirit and compassion touched both the animals and the people around him. He especially cherished his time with his beloved dog, Chevy, who passed before him. Jace embraced life with a fearless spirit, whether riding his motorcycle, exploring new hobbies, reading, or engaging in meaningful conversation. He had a remarkable gift for connecting with others, listening intently to their stories, and offering kindness, generosity, and protection to those he loved.

He was preceded in death by his dog, Chevy, and his grandfather, Willis Berndt of Rochester, Minnesota.

Jace is survived by his mother, Pamela Bishop of Winona, Minnesota; his sister, Hannah Berndt of Winona, Minnesota; his father, Ricky (Karen Squillace) Berndt of Rochester, Minnesota; his nephews, Bode, Briggs, and Banek, and niece, Belvie; his grandmother, Shirley Berndt of Rochester, Minnesota; and his grandparents, Patrick and Mary Beth Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.