LaVern J. Bertsch

The Mass will be live-streamed at facebook.com/stjosephdvl

LaVern J. “Vern” Bertsch, of Devils Lake ND passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Essentia Health in Fargo ND.

Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, July 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Firefighters Honors by the Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department. 

LaVern Joseph Bertsch, son of John and Mary M. (Wentz) Bertsch was born on the 4th of July in 1943 in Starkweather, ND. The family lived in various places in Vern’s growing up years and he graduated from Rapid City High School with the class of 1961. To earn some money, Vern worked at the Rapid City Hospital in maintenance and there earned the nickname “Doc.” 

He was certified in Auto Body Repair at a school in Denver, Colorado. Vern’s brother was living in Devils Lake, so Vern got a job at Powell Motor Company in Devils Lake. Although the Ford dealership changed hands many times, Vern remained for 40 plus years. At the time of his retirement, he had been the Ford Body Shop manager for many years. 

LaVern was united in marriage to his precious Phylis Winnegge on June 25, 1966, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They lived, worked, and raised their family in Devils Lake through the years. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage. 

Vern was passionate about cars and trucks. He loved classic cars, hot rods, if it had 4 wheels he loved it. He never bought a new car, he would always find a good, wrecked car, totally fix it up to be like new and that was the family car. 

When he wasn’t working on cars he enjoyed bowling, camping, and fishing. Vern was a dedicated life member of the Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department. He spent many hours training in his younger years and in retirement so enjoyed visiting with past and present volunteers. 

The loving family, Vern leaves behind include his wife Phylis, daughters and their spouses Tammy and Shannon Miller, Arizona, Cindy and Jon Unger, Tower City, ND and Shannon and Todd Lang, Harwood, ND; eight grandchildren Brittany (Tudor) Gheoraghiu, Bethany (Mitchell) Richard and Kaytrina (Robert) Scott-Krystal (Nathan) Munter-Braden Lang, Christopher (Amanda) Lang, Cassie Lang and Chelsey Lang; ten great grandchildren Clare, Sophia, Quinn, Rowan, Maximus, Jayce, Ava, Eian, Mila and Emyrx; sister Ileen Farmer, Rapid City, SD; brother-in-law Ronald W. Winnegge, Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews, cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Darla Bertsch, granddaughter LaRissa Unger, siblings Albert Bertsch, Katherine Geske, and Shirley Wolf. 

Casket Bearers will be Braden Lang, Chris Lang, Nathan Munter, Scott Bertsch, Trevor Bertsch and Andrew Bertsch. Music will be provided by Patty Cote and Marla Luehring. Gift Bearers will be Brittany Gheoragiu, Sophie Gheoragiu and Jessica Bertsch.