Otto Bertsch
May 25, 1923 ~ October 16, 2012
Otto Bertsch, age 89, of Hillsboro ND, passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at Evergreens of Fargo under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Otto was born May 25, 1923, in Germany to Gottfried and Katherine (Weible) Bertsch. The family immigrated to the United States in 1924 and made their home East of Hillsboro. Otto attended Herberg Township Country School. Otto married Pearl Ostby and they raised their family South of Hillsboro. On June 8, 1990 Otto married Sandra Stene Scherfenberg.
Otto was a farmer and also started his own trucking company, Bertsch Trucking Inc., hauling Versatile farm equipment from Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada to the United States.
Otto enjoyed farming, driving ford trucks and cars, and going to auctions. He enjoyed visiting with old friends and meeting new friends.
Otto is survived by his wife, Sandra; his children- Pat Bertsch, Randy Bertsch, and Otto Bertsch Jr., all of Hillsboro; his step-children- Jeff Scherfenberg, Dave (Cindy) Scherfenberg and Nikie (Aaron) Ambuehl, all of Ada, MN; his brother, Alvin (Shirley) Bertsch of Hillsboro; 9 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Otto was preceded in death by his parents; his sons - John and Leon; and his sister, Lena Beckman.
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KINDRED ND
– North Dakota
I was so sorry to hear of Otto’s passing. I only met him when he entered into the Nursing Home, as my mother is there too. My first encounter with him was when he saw me drive up in a Chevy. He shook his head and gave that warm smile and said “you should be driving a Ford”. Every time I came to visit my mother, he would ask “are you still driving that Chevy”? Sometimes he would wheel into moms room and we would visit. I will miss him along with so many others, I’m sure. Such a nice man. So very very sorry for your’ loss.
Moorhead MN
Sandy and family, I’m so sorry about Otto’s passing. I couldn’t get to the funeral on Monday but you are in my prayers.
Ps. 23. Love and prayers, Margaret and Stuart Ystebo
mesa azMy sympathy goes out to the Bertsch family. Randy and Otto Jr. who I have know a long time. You in my thoughts and prayers and keep all those great memeories close to your heart.
God Bless your Dads memory.
Kathy Mickelson
West Fargo I first met Otto at Cummins Diesel working as a partsman. He came in and stomped on a cigarette I had burning on the counter. I thought “who the hell is this guy”. Over the years we became friends. He helped me turn into a non smoker.
Grand Forks ND
So sorry to hear of Otto’s passing he was one of a kind and will leave a hole in many lives!
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family.
Maureen
No matter where I go I’ll run into someone who knows Otto and has some story about how they met him. Some day when St Peter opens the Pearly Gates people will look at him and the man standing next to him and ask “hey who is that next to Otto?”
Fargo ND
On behalf of all the staff at the Evergreens of Fargo, we will all miss Otto! He was able to bring a smile to everyone with his “German” charm. I only hope that he has found his place with all the other Ford lovers in heaven. We extend our sympathies to his wonderful family. We will miss having Otto and his family as part of our family here at the Evergreens. We were truly blessed to know Otto and his family, even if for such a short time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Hillsboro ND
Our community has lost a good man and friend. Otto was a true pioneer in the farming and trucking industry. The flag of Ford Motor should be flying at half mast. Otto was always optimistic. He said many times, “The sun is shining above the clouds”. He loved his family, his wife Sandy, and his employees. Otto was “One of a Kind”. God bless you all.
Princeton MN
Otto and family = Donnie & My deepest sympathy to you all. I have fun memories of Dad taking us to the farm and Otto giving me and Punky candy. He was a good, fun man. Bless you all!
Marmaduke, Ar ArOur most sincere sincere condolences to our beloved Bertsch kinfolks!!! Thinking of you as Otto is laid to rest–God bless each and every loved one.
the Glatt, Strunk and Mason families