Berst, Gordon K. 1936-2013

BERST, DOLAN, IBSEN, BISHOP, WASHMON, WEGNER, RULLESTAD, GANNON

Posted By: Ruth Maring (email)
Date: 9/23/2013 at 20:41:51

Gordon K. Berst, 77, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away at his home, Tuesday afternoon, August 27, 2013, following an heroic six-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2013, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in DeWitt, with the Reverend Jeff Wartgow officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in DeWitt. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday August 30, 2013, at Schultz Funeral Home in DeWitt.

Pallbearers will be Dan Condon, Jon Billhorn, Ike Hurning, Brent Smith, Dave Coiner, Nick Kremer, and Al Skora.

He was born January 12, 1936, in Welton, to Walter and Genevieve (Dolan) Berst. Gordon married Marlene Ibsen on November 15, 1957, in Iowa City, Iowa. Following graduation from the University of Iowa with a degree in business, he became an investment broker and continued his passion and life's work until his retirement in July of this year. Gordon was the owner of Berst & Company in Davenport. He worked diligently to ensure the financial success of each of his clients. Additionally, he was the owner and operator of Welton Creamery Company, a family business, until its closure in 1984.

Gordon was a member of the First Congregational UCC where he served on the Diaconate and the Board of Trustees. He also served on the boards of ATI, Iowa Mutual Insurance Company and Davenport Country Club.

He was an avid golfer with a particular passion for Springbrook Country Club in DeWitt. Springbrook was his life and his home. He was a member for fifty years, serving on the board and as a past president. He was always willing to do volunteer work for his club. One of his greatest joys was helping the young golfers with their games. His proudest accomplishment in golf was winning the Iowa State Father-Daughter Tournament with each of his girls.

He will be remembered for his great smile, sense of humor and incredible optimism. He had a knack for making everyone feel important and special. Gordon loved life and lived it to the fullest. His motto was "Life Is Good."

Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Marlene; daughters, Lynn (Ray) Bishop of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and Leah (Dick) Washmon of Carrollton, Texas; grandchildren, Wade and Casey Washmon of Carrollton; a sister, Sonia Wegner of Bradenton, Florida; sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Eleanor Rullestad of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Judy and Tom Gannon of DeWitt; numerous nieces and nephews as well as step-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his mother-in-law, father-in-law and two brothers-in-law.

Memorials may be made to the Church, Genesis Hospice, or Springbrook Country Club.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com