Joseph "Joe" Bertrand

CLERGY
Rev. Jonathan Vehar
MUSIC
Pianist ~ Dorothy Bietz
ACTIVE CASKETBEARERS
The Scotland Fire Dept. Bowling Team
Dennis Bietz
Duane Dean
Devin Lubinus
Mike Mehrer
Dean Rettedahl
Tex Roth
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Dick Behl
Mike Behl
Corey Bjorum
Jim Foley
Tim Furney
Fast Eddie Halverson
Craig Winckler
Joseph Michael James Bertrand was born Saturday, June 11, 1956 in Scotland, South Dakota to H.R. “Bud” and Ella (Suess) Bertrand. During his early years, the family lived in Tabor, later moving to Scotland where Joe attended Scotland High School. He remained in Scotland, where Joe was blessed with his son and two daughters and later was united in marriage to Peggy Sue Berens on July 9, 2005 at Zion Lutheran Church in Scotland.
Joe will always be remembered for being young at heart along with his enthusiasm and passion for life. The word “no” was absent from Joe’s vocabulary and he was known for helping others and always putting other people first. Always a hard worker, he also knew how to have a good time and enjoyed bowling, golfing, dancing, riding his Harley, and spending time outdoors hunting and fishing. He loved the time he spent with his family on the boat while the kids went tubing and water-skiing. “Papa Joe” spent hours on the floor playing with his grandchildren.
His absence will be felt in the community. Joe was loved by all who came into contact with him it didn’t matter if you met Joe for 5 minutes or knew him for 20 years, you walked away with a smile, a story, and a friend for life. Many in the community ranging from students to farmers to all his friends at the local watering hole all knew Joe as a giver and a friend. He devoted countless hours to the construction of the Haunted House fundraising project among several other activities. Joe also volunteered on the Scotland Volunteer Fire Dept. throughout his years. No one word can describe Joe Bertrand. Some people would use words like kindhearted, loving, hardworking, and truly happy. “Broadway Joe” was truly one of a kind, and will always be remembered.
Joe’s work history ranged from a mechanic on a race car, to working with horses, construction, driving truck, until he found his place at Scotland Oil (Phillips 66). Over the 32 years working at Scotland Oil, Joe built a relationship with everyone he came into contact with. While still actively working at Scotland Oil, Joe had also worked part-time in the evenings as a shuttle driver for Schwan’s.
Joe died from a sudden heart attack on Friday, January 20, 2012 at Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital in Scotland at the age of 55. Joe will be held lovingly in the hearts of his family, which include his wife, Peggy, of Scotland; five children and their families: Joshua “Redman” Bertrand and Holly German and their unborn son, Tate, of Vermillion, Nicole (Corey) Pechous and their son, Weston, of Sioux Falls, Traci (Cody) VandeWeerd, their son, Griffin, and unborn daughter, Brooklin, of Eudora, Kansas, Trisha Berens and Josh Hepp and her daughter Jayci Berens of Chancellor, and Tyler Berens of Chancellor; his mother, Ella Bertrand of Scotland; two brothers: Ray (Dee) Bertrand of Yankton and Brian (Renda) Bertrand of Gayville; a sister, LuAnn (John) Geiman of Scotland; his parents-in-law, Chuck and Karen Oberle of Tea; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. “Papa Joe” will also be fondly remembered by the Jeremy and Melinda Bertrand family and the Lisa Rokusek family.
Preceding him in death were his father, Bud Bertrand in 2002, and both his paternal and maternal grandparents.