Bertness, Merlin "Bubby" (1931-2012)
BERTNESS, SMITH, VAN HOUTEN, HALVERSON, BRUNSTING, SMITH, MCHONE
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 11/17/2012 at 07:17:09
Merlin "Bubby" Bertness
October 19, 1931 - October 18, 2012Merlin "Bubby" Jay Bertness, the son of Herman and Elizabeth (Smith) Bertness, was born on October 19, 1931, on a farm in Buena Vista County. He was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Sioux Rapids and also attended school in Sioux Rapids, graduating in 1950.
On October 1, 1950, Bubby married Genevieve Van Houten at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Sioux Rapids and Marathon before eventually moving to Linn Grove in 1955. In time, they were joined by two daughters, Brenda and Diane. Bubby farmed and sold Pioneer seed. An active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Linn Grove, he served on various executive boards: the Linn Grove and Marathon Coop Boards, the Buena Vista County Soil Conservation Board, and the Sioux Valley School Board.
After retiring in 1997, Bubby and Genny made their new home in Arnolds Park. Bubby became a member of the First Lutheran Church in Milford. His optimistic spirit encouraged others as he volunteered at the Lakes Regional Hospital and with Team Wave, an organization that helps with the beautification of Arnolds Park.
In his spare time, Bubby enjoyed golfing and bowling. An avid Hawkeye fan, he also loved John Deere tractors and chocolate. For the past fifty years, he and Genny played cards with the same card club. Bubby loved socializing with people and having coffee with his friends. He treasured spending time with his family. Full of wit and humor, he always found something to laugh about. A man of integrity and generosity, Bubby was beloved by all who knew him.
After a short battle with lung cancer, Bubby passed away on Thursday, October 18, 2012, at the Lakes Regional Hospital at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters-in-law: Carolyn Bertness and Charlotte Halverson.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Genny, of Arnolds Park; two daughters: Brenda Halverson, and her husband, Frank, of Linn Grove, and Diane Brunsting, and her husband, Doug, of Hawarden; four grandchildren: Kerri Smith, and her husband, Michael, Holly McHone, and her husband, Aaron, Kyle Brunsting, and Josh Brunsting, and his wife, Angela; six great grandchildren: Skyler, Jace, Corban, Alexa, Alanna, and Aiden; and one brother, Kenny Bertness; as well as other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at the First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji. Burial was in the Barnes Township Cemetery.
The Warner Funeral Home in Spencer was in charge of the arrangements.
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