Alois Bertram

Alois M. "Al" Bertram, age 83, of Greenwald, died peacefully on Monday, May 10, 2010 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with leukemia at his home in Greenwald.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 14 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald with Rev. Tom Becker officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. St. Andrew's Catholic Aid and St. Michael's Men's Society will pray at 5 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening.

Alois Mickael Bertram was born July 9, 1926 in Spring Hill Township, Stearns County to Joseph and Katherine (Hemmesch) Bertram. On May 10, 1949 he married Leona Haider at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa and together they operated a second generation dairy farm in Spring Hill until 1989. He was a district manager for Renk Seed Company for many years. He stayed active his entire life by continuing to help on the family farm, and working part-time as a semi-truck driver for Kalthoff and Veissman Trucking in Paynesville. Al was known for his love of Allis Chalmers tractors, playing cards, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was active in community service by serving 18 years on the Melrose school board (1972-1990), Spring Hill Township board as treasurer (1967-1990), a lifetime member of St Michael's Men's Society of Spring Hill, Catholic Aid Association, and a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald, Minnesota.

Survivors include his wife, Leona Bertram of Greenwald; children, Ronnie (Erma) Bertram, Freeport, Donnie (Carol) Bertram, Elrosa, Kathy (Kenny) Leukam, Sauk Centre, Jim (Maribel) Bertram, St. Cloud, Diane Bertram, San Ramon, CA, and Randy (Sherry) Bertram, Spring Hill; 18 grandchildren, nine great-grandsons, and two step grandchildren; sisters, Mary Lieser of Paynesville, Ann Hinnenkamp of Sauk Centre, Loretta Lieser of Lake Henry, Aurelia (Roman)Sunderman of Melrose, and Catherine Lieser of Paynesville; and brother, Clarence (Viola) Bertram of Spring Hill.

Al was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Mary Bertram; sister, Theresa Bertram; and brothers, Leo and Nick Bertram.

Serving as casket bearers will be his sons, Ronnie, Donnie, Jim, and Randy. Cross bearer will be Marissa Bertram and scripture bearer will be Jennifer Tschida. Honorary bearers will be Al's grandchildren and great-grandchildren, St. Michael's Men's Society, and the Catholic Aid Society.