Bernard B. Coulthurst

Bernard "Bernie" Benedict Coulthurst passed away at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield after a short illness on July 26th, 2025, at the age of 86. He was born on November 14th, 1938, at his parents' house on Washington Avenue in Stevens Point. His wife of 60 years, Carolyn Marie Coulthurst (Malmen), survives. They met while both worked at the Railroad Retirement Board in Chicago. They married and moved to Portage County, living for nearly five decades on a hill near treasured Adams Lake.

Bernie was the son of Wesley and Johanna Coulthurst, the brother of Robert (Ellen) Coulthurst and Mary (Melvin) Klish, and the father of David (Melanie) Coulthurst, Greg (Christine) Coulthurst, and Cheryl (Sam Hyatt) Coulthurst. He was brother-in-law to Roger and Colleen Malmen. He was grandpa to Nathan (Morgan) Coulthurst; Rachel (Ricky) Lyons; and Ryan, Kevin (Adam), and Aaron (Mandy) Keen; and great grand-daughter Soleil.

Bernie was extremely active in the square and round dancing community. He and Carolyn were long-time members of the Happy Steppers and Wheel 'n' Deal Square Dance clubs. He called the hobby "friendship set to music" and supported it by publishing "Here 'Tis" and "The Club Leadership Journal" for many years. In 1978, he and Carolyn were general chairmen of the 20th Wisconsin Square and Round Dance Convention in Stevens Point. 3,659 dancers attended. In 1984, they served as board chair for the 25th convention, also held in Stevens Point.

Bernie also enjoyed many other hobbies. He was a long-time hunter, fisherman, and gardener. He was adept at finding and adopting dogs (and sometimes cats) who needed better homes. Sometimes they'd just appear on the front steps or at the back door.

Like his father before him, he sold Christmas trees. With a simple sign in the front yard and lots of off-season tending, he provided a cut-your-own experience to generations of families.

Bernie grew up in Stevens Point. He went to P.J. Jacobs High School and graduated in 1960 from Central State College (now UWSP) where he was news editor of The Pointer newspaper and business manager of WDSN radio station.

He had several phases in his business career. Even into his retirement, Bernie joked that he was still figuring out what to do when he grew up. He programmed computers, sold Wick Homes, was a realtor, and a property manager, among other vocations. Bernie was involved in local economic development. He served as president of the Central Wisconsin Industrial Development Corporation and the Central Wisconsin Development Foundation.

He was hospitality committee chairman for the 29th Wisconsin Farm Progress Days, which was held near Almond in 1982. He would proudly recall how he made sure the event featured local Point Beer instead of a nationwide brand.

Bernie liked a Point beer now and then, and he'd time cooking a pot of Boo Yah or fish fry to his sipping rate. He always liked sitting around a fire.

In his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering and board service, putzing and crafting, writing novels and poetry, following the Packers and Brewers, telling old stories and dad jokes, and collecting and passing along things he thought family and friends would find interesting.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Lincoln Center or the Holly Shoppe. Checks for either may be mailed to 1519 Water Street, Stevens Point, 54481. Online donations may be made at https://www.unitedwaypoco.org/form/donate . Please include Bernie's name in the Donation Comments field to earmark funds for Aging and Disabilities Resource Center of Portage County programs. Bernie didn't want a public service. A philosopher at heart, Bernie would instead want friends and family to do something you enjoy with someone you love, and to remember one of his favorite phrases: "…And life goes on."

Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Coulthurst family. For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com .