Connie Lea Bernhardt, 79, of Loveland passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022 in Fort Collins. Connie was born February 4, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA to Marion and Marie (Kuxhaus) George. At the age of 6 months, her family moved to Loveland, CO where Connie grew up and graduated from Loveland High School, Class of 1961. 

Connie maintained many close childhood friendships throughout her life. Connie married Merle Bernhardt on September 1, 1966 in Denver. She was a successful hairdresser over her 45-year career. She worked for Michael of the Carlyle in the Denver area for many years before owning her own salon, The Master Stylist in Westminster for over a decade before selling and moving back to her home-town, Loveland. 

She worked for Salon 1041 and Scruples over the next 25 years. Connie loved to travel with her husband. She enjoyed going to Blackhawk and playing video poker. She loved to play Scrabble! And she rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy or Days of Our Lives. She was an avid Denver Bronco fan. 

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Bernhardt of Loveland, her stepsons; Jerry Bernhardt and wife Sandy of Loveland and Vic Bernhardt and wife Beth of Fort Collins, her stepdaughter, Neta Brandt of Sun City, AZ; sister, Sue Shultz of Greenfield, IN; grandchildren, Jonathan Schrenk and fiancé Jennifer Ummel of Seattle, WA, Hunter Evans of Rocky Ford, CO, Matt Taylor and wife Karissa of Phoenix, AZ, Seth Bernhardt and wife Tammy of Loveland, CO, Scott Brandt and wife Shelli of Albuquerque, NM, David Brandt and wife Ashley of Phoenix, AZ, Rachel Phillips and husband Mike of Anaheim, CA, Logan Bernhardt of Fort Collins, Ashley Renzo and husband Zach of Fort Collins, and Brandon Forgacs and wife Ashley of Fort Collins; and with such a wonderfully blended family, she had a great-granddaughter, Juliana Schrenk and numerous step-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Shelly Hollenback, her sister Marlene Meintzer, half brother, Leland George and a grandson, Cory Bernhardt. 

A Life Celebration will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, June 24, 2022 at Adamson Life Celebration Home followed by a reception in her honor. Cremation has taken place and a private family inurnment will be held at Loveland Burial Park. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 W. 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634. 

Friends may send condolences to the family at adamsoncares.com.