Donald Bertus, 84, of Avon

Memorial Services are 2 PM, Saturday, January 4, 2020 at the Friedensburg Bible Church, rural Avon. Burial was held at the Friedensburg Cemetery. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon is in charge of arrangements.

Donald Frederich Bertus was born January 18, 1935 on the family farm south of Avon, the son of Fred and Amanda (Ritter) Bertus. He heard his welcome home from the Lord on January 1, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall.
Don attended country school south of Avon. He married Arlene Vavruska on February 25, 1957 in Yankton. . Together they dairy farmed their entire life on the same farm until retiring in 1997.  Donald then stayed busy raising sheep and attended many sales.
Don served in the SD National Guard, was a member of the Gideons and served on the Avon Farmer's Coop Elevator Board.
One constant in his life was his faith and love for Jesus. Don accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior as a young man and faithfully served Him his whole life. He was a faithful member of the Friedensburg Bible Church where he served as a board chairman and Sunday School Superintendent.
Don will be remembered for his love for watching the activities of his grandkids and being an avid fan of the Avon Pirates.
Thankful for having shared his life is his wife of 62 years Arlene of Avon; three children: Mary Manning of Morrill, KS, Lori Van Duysen of Wagner and Loren (Rachel) Bertus of Avon; 11 grandchildren: Kristen Manning and fiancé Michael Kadlicek, Mathew (Cassie) Manning and Abby Manning, Sharla, Michael II, Melissa, Marshall and Morgan Van Duysen, Jeff Bertus, Joe Bertus, and fiancé Nikki McPherson and Jill (Devin) Tolsma; one great granddaughter Raelynn Van Duysen; and his beloved dog Snoopy along with many relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, sister Viola (Charles) Moysis; sons-in-law: Michael Van Duysen and Tom Manning; grandchildren: Christopher Bertus and Casey Van Duysen; and two great grandchildren: Josie and Mikey Van Duysen.