Merlin M. Bertjens

On Saturday, December, 27, 2008, the Lord called his faithful son, Merlin M. “Perky” Bertjens, to join Him in heaven. Merlin, 82, of Kieler, Wisconsin, died after an eighteen month battle with cancer. Merlin was born June 30, 1926, to Frank and Madeline (Brant) Bertjens. He was the youngest of three children. After serving in the United States Navy at the end of World War II, he wed Lillian “Lynn” Seippel of Beetown on August 25, 1951, in Dubuque, Iowa. Together, Merlin and Lillian raised six children on the family farm where he was born and raised. Merlin was a devout Catholic and lifetime member of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Kieler. Merlin was regarded as a superior diesel mechanic, retiring from Tschiggfrie Excavating in 1991. He also worked for International Harvester, the Kieler Garage, Goerdt Construction, and Guy’s Truck & Tractor in his tenure. In addition, he maintained the tradition of farming dairy cattle and hogs. Merlin was member of the American Legion Henry Pinch Post 104 of Cuba City, Wisconsin, and was proud to have served his country. In addition, he served as a volunteer firefighter for the Jamestown Fire Department for many years. Merlin and friends were instrumental in starting the Jamestown Fire Department. He was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son, grandsons, and sons-in-law. Fishing vacations to northern Wisconsin were among his fondest memories. Merlin especially enjoyed coon hunting, both for pleasure and competition. His trophy room is a tribute to his success in breeding and training coon hounds. Merlin is survived by his dearly beloved wife of 57 years, Lillian; four daughters, Deborah C. (Daniel) Hoey of Cuba City, Diane (Nick) Loeffelholz of East Dubuque, Cindy (Ken) Aird of Kieler, and Lisa (Brian) Wedig of Belmont; and a son Steven (Laura) Bertjens of Louisburg. Also surviving is one sister, Elda (Beezer) Uthe of Dubuque; sixteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Marie Johnston; and a daughter Michelle Kaiser.