The Life of JOHN ALAN BERTELSEN
John Alan Bertelsen of Carlisle, Iowa died on March 5, 2004 at Mercy Medical Center-North of Mason City following open heart surgery. John was born on February 5, 1940 in Des Moines to Gunnar and Marguerite Davis Bertelsen, and attended Des Moines schools. He was united in love and marriage to Sandy Foster in 1957, and served in the US Air Force in 1957 and 1958. They were stationed first in Wichita Falls, TX, and then in Reno, NV.
John was employed with the City of Des Moines Parks and Rec Department for thirty-two years, and from 1978 until his retirement in 1996 was Supervisor of the Central Zone, living in the residence at Pioneer Park. He served on the Executive Board of the Des Moines Metro Credit Union for 19 years, and served as Chairman of the Parks and Rec Department for the city of Carlisle for one year. Many will remember John as a musician in the Des Moines and Central Iowa area, having played drums and then bass with various groups for over 40 years.
John was preceded in death by his father, Gunnar and his eldest daughter, Debbie Jo in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Sandy of Carlisle; three daughters, Vicky Moon of Altoona, Cindy (Bill) Brinkman of Saylorville and Kelly Bertelsen of Altoona; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Ryner, Bryan Williams, Jessica Moon, Siera Purdy, Jimmy Moon, and Mikki and Mark Brinkman; his mother, Marguerite Hayden of Des Moines; his brother, Dean Bertelsen of Charles City; and his best friend of 57 years, Denny Allison of Des Moines.
Honoring John''s wishes, cremation has been carried out and Interment of his ashes will be in a private gathering of his family and close friends at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in John''s memory to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
John was employed with the City of Des Moines Parks and Rec Department for thirty-two years, and from 1978 until his retirement in 1996 was Supervisor of the Central Zone, living in the residence at Pioneer Park. He served on the Executive Board of the Des Moines Metro Credit Union for 19 years, and served as Chairman of the Parks and Rec Department for the city of Carlisle for one year. Many will remember John as a musician in the Des Moines and Central Iowa area, having played drums and then bass with various groups for over 40 years.
John was preceded in death by his father, Gunnar and his eldest daughter, Debbie Jo in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Sandy of Carlisle; three daughters, Vicky Moon of Altoona, Cindy (Bill) Brinkman of Saylorville and Kelly Bertelsen of Altoona; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Ryner, Bryan Williams, Jessica Moon, Siera Purdy, Jimmy Moon, and Mikki and Mark Brinkman; his mother, Marguerite Hayden of Des Moines; his brother, Dean Bertelsen of Charles City; and his best friend of 57 years, Denny Allison of Des Moines.
Honoring John''s wishes, cremation has been carried out and Interment of his ashes will be in a private gathering of his family and close friends at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in John''s memory to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.