Donald M. Bertrand

Donald M. Bertrand, 80, of Sioux City died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007, at Regency Square Nursing Home in South Sioux City after a lengthy illness.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Church of the Nativity, with the Rev. Gerald Feierfeil officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery at Salix, Iowa. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Donald was born Feb. 13, 1927, in Salix, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Bernadette (Default) Bertrand. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in Salix. He served our country during World War II in the U.S. Navy Air Force.

He was married to Marie E. LaCroix on Aug. 4, 1950, in Sioux City. He worked as a switchman for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 40 years.

He was a member of the Church of the Nativity, where he was a member of the men's club. He was also a member of the United Transportation Union. Donald was an avid fisherman and gardener of flowers.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Bertrand of Sioux City; six children, Diane (Denny) Jackson of Eagle, Neb., Alan (Shelia) Bertrand of Excelsior Springs, Mo., Steven (Christy) Bertrand of Lincoln, Neb., Donita Wheeler of Sioux City, Jerald (Carol) Bertrand of Rayville, Mo. and Devlin (Kelley) Bertrand of South Sioux City; five sisters, Rose Pearson, Amelia (James) O'Hara, Ruth Larson, Teresa (Bob) Christiansen and Maria Layna (Paul) Cuce; two brothers, Merrill and Charles Bertrand; 15 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Arline Deduke, Pearl Martinez and Beverly Knight; four brothers, Richard, Henry, Terrance and Francis Bertrand; an infant son, Thomas Gerald Bertrand; a grandson, Jason Bertrand; and a granddaughter, Bethany Bertrand.