Loretta Mae Bertelsen, 89, of Missouri Valley, passed away on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in Omaha, Neb.
Loretta was born May 8, 1933, to Roy and Ellen (Epperson) Spires in Missouri Valley. She married Donald Bertelsen on March 7, 1951. They were married 64 years and blessed with seven children.
Loretta lived a career of wife, mother, and grandmother. She taught by example to work hard, enjoy life, and serve people. She shared her gift of hospitality and kept each guest in mind as she prepared special breakfasts, luncheons, and suppers.
Loretta loved God and Jesus deeply and lived a life of great Christian faith. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ (Christian Church). She taught many Bible classes to both children and adults. She was a faithful volunteer in the church kitchen, too, and organized many funeral dinners and special events.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; brother-in-law, Jerry Guinan; brother and wife, Robert and Roberta Spires; and sister and husband, Nancy and Gene Dinsmore; sons-in-law, Mike Peters and Kurt von Sternberg.
Loretta is survived by her children, Patti Bertelsen, Peggy and husband Gary Smiley of Imogene, Pam and husband Eugene Gochenour of Mondamin, David and wife Diane Bertelsen of Missouri Valley, Donna Peters of Hurst, Texas, Debra von Sternberg of Missouri Valley, Laurie and husband Mike Cooper of Primghar; 22 grandchildren, Travis (Anne) Smiley, Dustin Smiley, Brad (Sarah) Smiley, Jill (Ted) Radloff, Jewel (Craig) Ansbaugh, Jolene (Josh) Caldwell, Janelle Escalante, Jeena (Wyatt) Hall, Jessy (Paul) Werner, Doug (Cindy) Bertelsen, Dawn (Nick) Kuster, Devin (Sean) Davis, Andrew (Melissa) Lawver, Kaitlin (Josh) Rogers, Josh Stone, Jacob (Kathy) Stone, Molly (Michael) Newman, Liz (Brandon) Wittrock, Staci (Turner) Hicks, Stefan Cooper, Erin (Matthew) Watt; 33 great-grandchildren; sister, Judy Guinan of Mobile, Ala.; sister-in-law, Estella Witt of Honey Creek; brother-in-law, Calvin Bertelsen of Logan.
Memorials may be directed to Missouri Valley Christian Church, as Loretta’s faith was an important part of her life.
Visitation was Friday, March 3, at the Christian Church in Missouri Valley. The funeral service was Saturday, March 4, at the Christian Church in Missouri Valley. Pastor Matt Zingraf officiated. Tammi Mether was the pianist and Emery and Sharon Killian were the vocalists. The congregation selection was “To God Be the Glory” and the vocal selections were “Precious Lord, Take my Hand” and “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven with You”. The casket bearers were Doug Bertelsen, Jake Stone, Stefan Cooper, Travis Smiley, Ted Radloff and Andrew Lawver. The final resting place is Grange Cemetery in Honey Creek.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home Missouri Valley. www.hennesseyonline.com
