Wayne R. Bertelson

Wayne R. Bertelson

Wayne passed away May 21, 2004 at home surrounded by his loving family after a 12-year battle with cancer.

Wayne was born February 29, 1924 to Nels and Rosena (Peterson) Bertelson in Menomonie, WI. Wayne grew up in the Spring Valley and Elmwood area. He attended grade school and high school in Elmwood. At age 16, he and his brother Laverne took over their grandfather Peterson's farm and they lived with their grandparents. They did this for three years at which time Wayne went back and worked at his father's farm. In 1945, he was drafted into the Army during World War II and spent time in Germany. In late 1946, he was discharged and went to live in Stillwater, MN and worked at St. Croix Mfg. Co. as a foreman in the furniture factory.

Wayne married Alyce Westphal on October 28, 1948 in Stillwater, MN. Four children were born to this union. A son, John and daughters, Janine, Janice and Cheryl. He also has ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.

In 1962, he moved to Durand, WI where he owned and operated a hardware store with his brother-in-law John Evans. In 1974, he began working for FS Appliance and TV. In 1975, he moved to Eau Claire and retired from FS in 1989. After retirement, he worked with his good friend, Duane Balts, as together they installed appliances and did some carpenter work. A GREAT TEAM!

Wayne was an avid fisherman and craftsman. He loved to fish with his wife, Alyce, and his grandchildren, but he couldn't fish much himself because he always had to put on the worms! He enjoyed making bird feeders, wooden shelves, sofa tables and garden benches. He made many penny coin holders and kept up his collection of all the new state quarters. Wayne was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and an active member of the Trinity Friendship Group.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Alyce (of 55 years), Son, John and wife Sally of McFarland, WI; Grandsons, Ryan and Daniel Bertelson; Daughter, Janine Seiffert and husband Bill of Hudson, WI; Granddaughter, Stacey La Plount (Adam), great-grandson, Garrett, and grandson, Ross Seiffert; Daughter, Janice Rasmussen and husband Paul of Glenwood City; Granddaughter, Lisa Krueger (Morgan), grandsons, Matthew and Chad Rasmussen; Daughter, Cheryl Cummings and husband John of Lakeville, MN; Grandson, Brandon and granddaughters, Rachel and Nicole Cummings.
He is further survived by his sister, Betty Evans and husband John of New Richmond and sister-in-law, Alice Bertelson of Woodville; Two special aunts, Mabel Peterson of Elmwood and Nethis Peterson of Stillwater, MN, several nieces and nephews, cousins and more friends than we can count.

Funeral Services for Wayne will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2004 at Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home in Eau Claire. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the time of services on Monday, all at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Rest Haven Cemetery in the Town of Washington. Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Sign the guest book online at www.fullerspeckien.com.