Catherine Bertelsen

Catherine "Katie" Bertelsen, 89, Fairmount, ND, went into the Loving arm of Jesus on September 15, 2014 at her home surrounded by family, under the care of Riveredge Hospice. The Funeral Mass will be Friday, 10:30 a.m., at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Fairmount, with Rev. Scott Sautner celebrant. Visitation will be Thursday, from 5 PM to 8 PM with a 7 PM Prayer Vigil at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton, and one hour before the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Fairmount. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Catherine Rosella Schmit was born April 23, 1925 in DeVillo Township to Michael and Julia (Neubauer) Schmit. She grew up on a farm and attended country school in DeVillo Township. On July 29, 1941 she was united in marriage to Thomas M. Bertelsen. They lived on a farm in DeVillo Township. They had nine children; six boys and three girls. Katie and Tommy moved into Fairmount in 1975 after farming for 34 years. Katie was a stay at home mother while her children were young. She then went to work for Dykes Café for 13 years as a waitress after that she went to work at the 1901 Club as a cook for 14 years. Katie and Tommy were married for 50 years before Tommy passed away June 14, 1992; Kate continued to live in Fairmount, the last years with her daughter Rose Mary and her husband Oren, who cared for her.

Katie enjoyed sewing, baking and cooking. She was known for her great potato soup, potato salad, chocolate chip cookies and home-made mustard. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and attending their sporting events. She enjoyed collecting dolls, spoons and later in life she enjoyed watching birds and reading large print books.

She was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Fairmount, National Catholic Society of Foresters, St. Catherine Court 1126 for over 60 years, Alter Society, Christian Mothers, American Legion Auxiliary 106, Fraternal Order of Eagles 2749 and Fairmount Senior Citizens.

Katie is survived by four sons and three daughters: Joe (Barb) Bertelsen, St. Paul, MN; James (Kay) Lake Elsie, ND; Curt (Lil) Bertelsen, Hankinson, ND; Richard (Carleen) Bertelsen, Wahpeton; Kathy (Rich) Hills, Wahpeton; Teri Bertelsen Church (Kendall) Fairmount; Rose Mary (Oren) Miller, Fairmount; daughters-in-law, Dianne Bertelsen, St. Paul and Martha Bertelsen, Chadron, NE; 27 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren, five step great- grandchildren; one step great great-grandson; a sister, Mary Jane (Josie) Sittarich, two sisters-in-law: Catherine Goggin, Wahpeton; Elsie Bertelsen, Harlem, Mt.; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sons, Duane and Gary Bertelsen, two sisters, Regina Bernard, and Margaret Weber, five brothers: Clarence, Michael, Gregor, Edwin and baby Matthew Schmit.