Joseph Merrill (Bert) Bertrand

Joseph Merrill (Bert) Bertrand, 83, of Ponca, NE formerly of South Sioux City, NE died peacefully in the loving arms of his daughter on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Elms Heath Care Center in Ponca, NE.Visitation will be 8 to 11 a.m., with the family present at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska. A Graveside Military Service will follow at Saint Joseph's Cemetery in Salix, Iowa at 12:00 p.m; followed by a fellowship luncheon at the Mohr Funeral Home.Merrill was born November 29, 1933, in Salix, Iowa, the son of Alfred L. and Bernadette L. (DuFault) Bertrand. He married Josephine B. Stidfole in June, 1955. She died June 5, 1994 in Sioux City, Iowa.When he was young, he served as an altar boy at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa. He was also a Baseball Umpire for the Boy's Catholic League. He served two years in the U.S. Army from May 20, 1953 to May 20, 1955. He served as an antiaircraft artillery automatic weapons chief during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged as a PFC(T).After his military service, he worked several years for the Sioux City Stockyards, Audino Construction as a brick layer and heavy equipment operator, and in his later years he was fondly known as "Bert, the lawnmower man" in South Sioux City, NE. He enjoyed spending time with his grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren "Reruns". In his leisure time he loved watching the Chicago Cubs and listening to Jazz. He also enjoyed fishing and other outdoor activities.Survivors include two sons, Robert (Mary) Bertrand of Phoenix, AZ and Brian Bertrand of Sioux City, IA; three daughters, Renee Harvey of South Sioux City, NE, Nanette (Pat) Linsley of Ponca, NE, and Yvonne (John) LaRusso of San Antonio, TX; and a special daughter, Jodie Sigler of Sioux City, IA; eight grandsons, Robert, Barry, Larry (Emily), Glen, Paul, and Trevor Bertrand, Ryan and Cory LaRusso; one special grandson, Logan Whitead; eight granddaughters, Michelle (Ron) Gamble, Amy Swanson, Heather Fritzen, Candace Linsley, Shantelle (Troy) Pelchat, Tosha Flockhart, Nichole (Youssef) Ismail, and Jadee Shimitz; 28 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Theresa (Robert) Christiansen and Marialayna (Paul) Cuce, all of Santa Maria, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred L. and Bernadette L. (DuFault) Bertrand; ex-wife Josephine B. (Stidfole) Brinkerhoff; two sons, Tyron and Troy Bertrand; six brothers, Hank, Donald, Richard, Terence, Francis, and Charles; and six sisters, Arline Didiuk-Smith, Ruth Larson, Pearl Hess-Martinez, Rose Pearson, Ameila O'Mara, and Beverly Knight; and one great-great-grandson, Tanner A. Wixom.Honorary urn bearers will be grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for designations to be made at a later time.