FREEMAN JAMES (BERT) BERTELSEN
On Thursday, August 15, 2019, Freeman James (Bert) Bertelsen, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age of 82 surrounded by his family. Freeman was born March 20, 1937 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Margaret (Rommel) Bertelsen Winkler and Edwin Peter Bertelsen. He attended school in Tabor, Iowa and graduated from Tabor High School.
On June 16, 1957 he married Sandra Deon Queen, his high school sweetheart and raised three children: Kimberlee Deon, Mark Edwin, and James Kirk (Jamie). He and Sandra lived in Tabor, Iowa for 32 years.
Freeman spent over 42 years at the Omaha Stockyards where he was head hog salesman for Star Commission Company. He also served a term as President of the Omaha Livestock Exchange. In 1989, he and Sandra moved to Thurman, Iowa where they purchased and operated ‘The Plum Creek Inn and Cottage Bed and Breakfast’. In 2002 they moved to Brownville, Nebraska where they purchased and operated the Pierce Cottage and Deer Run Suites Bed & Breakfast. They both loved hosting B&B guests and were well known for their wonderful breakfasts and dinners. In 2017, Freeman and Sandra moved to Papillion, Neb. to be closer to family.
Freeman was known for his humor, sparkling blue eyes and his kind and compassionate spirit. It wasn’t unusual for neighborhood children in Tabor to knock on the door to see if Freeman could come out and “play”. He loved teaching the children football skills, giving advice about driving skills and offering encouragement in all aspects of life.
Freeman was preceded in death by his father Edwin, his mother Margaret, and his infant son Scott Edwin. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years Sandra, and his children Kimberlee (Bertelsen) Johnson and husband Greg Pella of Lincoln, Neb.; Mark Bertelsen and wife Melissa of Papillion, Neb., and son Jamie and wife Connie of Springfield, Neb.
He is also survived by 11 grandchildren Dane Johnson and Mary McCandless of Papillion; Lauren (Johnson) Wymore and husband Nick of Ely, Iowa; Drew Johnson of Lincoln; Max Johnson and wife Ashton of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Marcus Johnson and Sakia Fields of Lincoln; Matthew Bertelsen and wife Sarah of Ralston, Neb.; Chloe Bertelsen and Christian Bertelsen of Papillion; Layna Stanley and husband Evan of Glenwood, Iowa; Tom Bertelsen of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Hillary Bertelsen of Papillion.
Great grandchildren include Parker James Johnson; Jude Freeman, Ethan James and Louis Avery Wymore; Henry Freeman Bertelsen; Deagan James Stanley, Berkley Lynn Stanley; and Zachary Lee Bertelsen. Sister Jane (Winkler) Dwornicki and husband Frank of Ralston and brother Kenneth Winkler and wife Barbara of Sidney, Iowa, Sister-in-law Lynda Jensen, of Olathe, Kansas. Numerous beloved nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
Memorial services were 11 AM Wednesday August 21, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Tabor, Iowa with Rev. Jan Phillips and Mr. Gary Moles officiating.
Visitation with the family greeting friends was from 10 to 11:00 AM Wednesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will go to the Bartlett Community Church Building Fund. There will be private disposition of ashes at a later time. The Crawford-Marshall Funeral Chapel in Tabor, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.