Obit: Bertelsen, Dale Arden (1938 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bertelsen, Macak, Skibbie, Nast, Hooper, McCarty, Kasper, Phillips, Simon, Sandman, Denzine, Wuorenma, Walker, Wollman, House

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 2/18/2015

Bertelsen, Dale Arden (11 July 1938 - 13 February 2015) With Flag

Dale Arden Bertelsen passed away peacefully on February 13, 2015, at Gulf Shores Medical Center in Panama City, Florida. He was surrounded by family and love.

Dale was born on July 11, 1938, to Herman and Mayme Bertelsen on a small farm outside Almena, WI. He graduated from Barron High School in 1957 and was in the U. S. Army from August 1961 to August 1963, stationed at Fort Sill, OK, and Okinawa. After the Army, Dale worked in various maintenance roles, including at UW-Stout for 24 years as an air conditioning technician. Dale had a gift for fixing anything, and he was instrumental in the construction and early maintenance of Good Shepherd Senior Apartments in Eau Claire, as well as beloved by the residents.

Dale was united in marriage to Darlene Jean Macak on May 28, 1960. Together they had three children, Kurt, Kari and Kris. He was a farm boy at heart, and his hobbies included fishing, hunting collecting coins, and spending time with his grandchildren. Dale had a knack for knowing when someone needed help, and he was always available to lend a hand. He had a very kind and generous heart.

Dale enjoyed traveling with his family, especially enjoying the sunsets at the North Shore, and the majesty of Glacier National Park. Last June, he took two of his grandchildren to South Dakota. When he returned, he then headed out to Glacier National Park. This was quite a trip, as it included Nana, Kari’s family of four, Uncle Hugh (his brother), and Uncle Hugh’s children and grandchildren (the group totaled 15). When entering into Canada, the Border Guard asked, “How many Bertelsens are there?’ There were quite a lot!

In recent years Dale and Darlene enjoyed being snowbirds, flying down to spend time with many friends in Florida. He was happy that his son, Kurt, and family joined them for Christmas this year. Although walking became difficult, he never missed a sunset on the beach.

Dale is survived by his wife of 54 years, Darlene Macak Bertelsen of Thorp; children: Kurt Bertelsen of Minneapolis, MN, Kari (Paul) Skibbie of Thorp, and Kris (Jenny) Bertelsen of Eau Claire. Dale has six grandchildren who he adored: Quinn Bertelsen, Josephine Skibbie, MaKenzie Skibbie, Aiden Bertelsen, Peyton Nast, and Elizabeth Bertelsen.

Dale is also survived by a large extended family that will miss him tremendously. They include his brothers: Hugh Bertelsen of Hudson, and Dave (Carol) Bertelsen of Turtle Lake; as well as his sister Anita (Melvin) Hooper of Sparks, NV. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law: Joyce Kasper of Eau Claire; his mother-in-law, Freda Phillips of Eau Claire; and his former daughters-in-law; Kelly Simon of Eau Claire and Cindy Nast of Minneapolis, MN. Dale had 10 nieces, 13 nephews, and numerous cousins. Special friends include Ruth and Chuck Sandman, and Jim and Joan Denzine.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers; Loren and Jim; sisters: Donna Wuorenma and Leah Walker; sisters-in-law: jean Bertelsen and Maryanne Bertelsen; and brother-in-law George Wuorenma.

Funeral services for Dale will be held Saturday, February 21, 2015, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at 1120 Cedar Street, Eau Claire, WI, officiated by Reverend Mike Wollman and Reverend Diane House. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. in the main sanctuary by the baptismal font (a symbol of his steady faith and life of service). The memorial service will be at 3 p.m. with a reception to follow in the upper fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Good Shepherd Lutheran Foundation, Inc. at 3304 14th Street Eau Claire, WI 54703.