Gerald Bertram

Gerald N. "Jerry" Bertram, age 63, of Sauk Centre, passed away suddenly on Thursday, October 6, 2016 surrounded by his family at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 12 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the upper gathering area at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Gerald Norbert Bertram was born January 15, 1953 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Peter and Marina (Meyer) Bertram. Jerry was one of five children and has a twin brother. He married Ruth Hellermann on August 10, 1974 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Jerry worked at Kraft Foods and then Land O'Lakes in Melrose for 43 years, retiring in 2014. He loved playing guitar and singing. He played with five different bands throughout his life. Jerry liked going to the casino, fishing, watching the Minnesota Twins, and playing cards with his friends. He took pride in taking care of his lawn and made sure he had the best lawn in the neighborhood. Jerry enjoyed spending quality time with his family, especially his five grandchildren.

Jerry was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Ruth "Ruthie" Bertram; children, Jamie Bertram of St. Cloud, Rick (Jenny) Bertram of Annandale, and Jessica (Russ) Renneker of Freeport; five grandchildren, Emmy, Avery, and Corbin Bertram and Halle and Maddie Renneker; brothers and sister, Dan (Doris) Bertram of Richmond, Harry (Dorie) Bertram of Cold Spring, and Deb (Mark) Torberg of Mount Joy, PA; sister-in-law, Irene Bertram; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; Pete and Marina Bertram; brother, Duane Bertram; father-in-law, Norbert Hellermann; and nephews Kurt Nathe and Luke Sobania.

Serving as casket bearers will be Chad Bertram, Josh Sobania, Eric Hellermann, Jim Borgerding, Dave Mueller, Steve Schmiesing, and Dan Schmiesing. Cross bearer will be Emmy Bertram and scripture bearer will be Avery Bertram. Gift bearers will be Ken and Dan Hellermann. Honorary bearers will be many of Jerry's friends.