Marilyn J. Bertelsen

MASON CITY- Marilyn J. Bertelsen, age 75, of Mason City, died Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at the IOOF Home in Mason City. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 1st. St. N.E., with Rev. Patti Aurand officiating. Inurnment will be held at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery Columbarium. Visitation will be held from 5:00 7:00 p.m. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.
Marilyn was born January 28, 1934, in Des Moines, IA, the daughter of Clifford and Beryl (Donaldson) Lavender. She graduated form Mason City High School in 1951. She was married to Quentin Bertelsen in 1954. They lived and farmed south of Thornton for 35 years before moving northwest of Mason City on a farm they purchased. They would later move into Mason City in 2005.
Marilyn worked for Opportunity Village as a house parent with her husband for 13 years. Family was very important to Marilyn and she loved her grandchildren and had a special place in her heart for her great-grandson. She also loved to travel and as she wintered in Texas for 8 years. She loved spending time outdoors and loved spending time on the farm. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Quentin, of Mason City; children, Kathy Hirsch and husband Jerry of Mason City, Bruce Bertelsen and wife Carla of Fort Atkinson, WI; grandchildren, Ryan Hirsch and wife Holly of Mason City, Eric Hirsch and wife Devan of Mason City, Alyssa Bertelsen and Jeremy Bertelsen of Fort Atkinson, WI; great-grandson, Brody Hirsch; brothers, Ron Lavender of Acapulco, MX, Don Lavender of Des Moines; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family would like to thank the IOOF Home staff as well as Hospice of North Iowa for the wonderful care and compassion they showed.