Lillian Mae Bertjens

Now at peace and among the angels in heaven, Lillian “Lynn” M. Bertjens, 81, passed away on Saturday, July 24, 2010, at home after a year long battle with cancer. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 26, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Church in Kieler with Rev. Bernard Rott officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2-7 p.m. on Sunday at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Kieler. Casey Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cuba City will be in charge of arrangements. Lillian was born in Beetown, Wisconsin, on May 24, 1929, to Theodore and Flora (Fullman) Seippel. She moved to Dubuque as a young woman where she worked, living at Our Lady of the Lords until meeting her husband to be, Merlin Bertjens. Merlin and Lillian were married on August 25, 1951, in Dubuque. Since then, Lillian and Merlin resided on the Bertjens farm near Kieler where they raised six children. More than anything in the world, Lillian enjoyed and loved her family. Raising her children, caring for her 16 grandchildren, and delighting in her 14 great-grandchildren were her passions. She cared for and loved them all unconditionally. Lillian was a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish and served on many committees and work groups. While she worked at home and on the farm, Lillian also worked at the Village Bar for many years. She also enjoyed gardening and supplying her family and friends with much produce. She gladly shared cuttings from her flowers beds and freely offered her advice on all things gardening. Lillian is survived by four daughters, Deborah (Daniel) Hoey of Cuba City, Diane (Nick) Loeffelholz of East Dubuque, Cindy (Ken) Aird of Cuba City, and Lisa (Brian) Wedig of Belmont; her son, Steven (Laura) Bertjens of Louisburg; a brother, John (Irene) Seippel of Lancaster; a sister, Fannie (Francis) Simon of Bloomington; her sisters-in-law, Vernetta Seippel of Lancaster and Elda Uthe, of Dubuque; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merlin; daughter, Michelle Kaiser, brother, Henry Seippel, and sisters, Viola (Les) Groom and Melinda Atkinson. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caseyfuneralhome.net