Ashley, ND-Private Funeral Service for Roger R. Bertsch, 92, of Ashley will be 2:00 pm, Thursday, November 19, 2020. Rev. David Irwin will officiate. The service will be live streamed and available at www.Carlsenfh.com under Roger’s obituary.
Burial in Ashley City Cemetery.
Roger died November 14, 2020 at Ashley Medical Center.
Roger was born May 8, 1928 to Jacob J. and Martha J. (Herr) Bertsch on the family homestead in McPherson County, SD. This is where he grew up and attended country school. While he attended Ashley Public High School, he lived with his grandparents. Roger graduated with the class of 1945. He then went on to attend Interstate Business College in Fargo, later returning to the family farm to take over the operation. He raised small grains and livestock and operated a dairy. He always looked forward to harvest and making hay.
He was united in marriage to Gladys H. Bakker on September 11, 1955 in Renville Presbyterian Church at Renville, MN. Together, they raised their three children on the homestead. Gladys died May 1, 2009. In 2015, Roger moved into Ashley. He continued to farm from town, making many trips to the farm, even making hay this past summer.
Roger was a member of Ashley Baptist Church. His love of farming kept him busy, but he always found the time to watch his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was also a true NDSU Bison and Minnesota Vikings fan.
Grateful for having shared Roger’s life are his children, Brenda (Tom) Flemmer of Eureka, SD; and Brian (Angie) Bertsch and Susan (Dean) Christianson, both of Ashley; five grandchildren, Eric (Carina) Flemmer, Joshua (Shantel) Flemmer, Alex Bertsch, Aidan Bertsch and Mason Bertsch; four great-grandchildren, Riley and Maverick Flemmer and Breanna and Ty Fuehrer; brothers, Dwaine (Marion) Bertsch of Spencer, IA and Frank (Sandra) Bertsch of Madison, WI and sisters, Caryl Kaseman and Oddie (Darrell) Schlittenhardt, both of Bismarck and Sharon Sommer of Sun City, AZ.
He joins in heaven his parents, wife, Gladys and grandson, Braydon Bertsch.
Casketbearers will be Roger’s Grandsons and Sons-In-Law.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Ashley Medical Center or Ashley Baptist Church.
Carlsen Funeral Home of Ashley has been entrusted with arrangements.
My Condolences to Brenda & Tom Flemmer, Brian, Angie Bertsch & Boys, Dean & Susie Christiansen. Roger was my 2 weeks a year father. He was stern but very loving. I’ll always remember his wonderful smile. He was a Godly man & loved his family very much. His special buddy Dean Christiansen will always be by in his heart.
My Condolences to Brenda & Tom Flemmer, Brian, Angie Bertsch & Boys, Dean & Susie Christiansen. Roger was my 2 weeks a year father. He was stern but very loving. I’ll always remember his wonderful smile. He was a Godly man & loved his family very much. His special friend & buddy Dean Christiansen will always be in his heart.
Love you all
Lynelle
My deepest sympathy to all of you.
My deepest sympathies to Roger’s legacy, his family. Best memory was our family’s visit to the farm. As city kids we watched in awe, Susie hanging onto a pig’s tail while it pulled her around the barn like a water skier!
My prayers are with you as you say goodbye and remember your dear father. Blessed be his memory.
My deepest sympathy for the Bertsch family. He loved to come up for meals at the nursing home and he also loved to go out to the farm . He always told me what he was doing at the farm, that was his love. He never complained and he loved the Lord and he’s with him now. He will be missed.
Roger was a light in the world. He will be genuinely missed. He always had a smile for me. My prayers go out to the family during this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are going out to the family. He was such a kind and gentle man. I never saw him without a smile. He will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers go to Roger’s family. I have such good memories of summer vacations at the farm with Uncle Jake, Aunt Martha and all the kids. Peace be with you.
My prayers are with you all at this time. It is hard to loose a father. He loved you all very much .I will always remember visiting you when we lived on the farm when we were young.You all have great memories of your dad grandfather and great grandfather.
Sorry for your loss. Roger was a wonderful man who lived for the lord and is with him now. I remember talking to him farming was his life and enjoyed going out to the farm. Saw he made hay this summer he had smile all the time.
It was clear how much Uncle Roger loved the Lord, his family and his farm. It was always a special treat when I got to visit the farm. When Paul Harvey wrote the speech, So God Made a Farmer, he was describing Uncle Roger 100%!
You will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you Brian, Susie, Brenda and family.
Susan, Dean and family, my sympathy for your loss. Roger will be remembered as a kind and gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor. It has been a privilege to know him as well as Gladys for many years. May it comfort you knowing he is resting in God’s care and bring you peace.
To Roger’s family, our sincere condolences. Roger was a kind, gentle man, he will be missed.
So sorry about the loss of your father. I always enjoyed visiting with him. He was always cheerful and had a smile. Brenda, Susie, Brian and families, may God be your comfort and you will always have those cherished memories of a life well lived.
My deepest sympathy to you, Brenda, and your family. My prayers are with you. Hugs.