Donald Bertelsen

Don was born on May 9, 1932, on a family farm near Wakonda, South Dakota. After the death of his father when Don was nine years old, he and his siblings were raised by their grandmother. He graduated from high school in 1950 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952.

He married Ramona Louise Wright on November 15, 1953, in Yankton, South Dakota, and they recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.

Don served honorably in the Air Force for over 20 years, including service as a maintenance instructor on B-52 aircraft, and retired in 1974 with the rank of Master Sergeant. After retirement, Don and Ramona settled in Austin, Texas, near Bergstrom Air Force Base, where they made their permanent home.

Together, Don and Ramona owned and operated Mona and Don’s Antiques in Austin. Don had a lifelong interest in phonographs, buying and selling many over the years, and enjoyed listening to their music as part of his daily routine.

Don and Ramona became members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in 1983. Don served the congregation on the Board of Elders and as president of the school PTA during the years when the church operated a school.

He is survived by his wife, Ramona Bertelsen; his children Cindy Sieberg, Jeff Bertelsen, Becky Harrington, and Pam Burleson; his grandchildren Nels Butler, Jason Bertelsen, Sarah White, Chloe Harrington, Kyra Harrington, Jacob Burleson, Nate Burleson, and Josh Burleson; and his great-grandchildren Ava Bertelsen, Burke White, Lawson White, and Sutton White. He was preceded in death by his grandson Christopher Bertelsen.

Burial took place on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Cook-Walden Memorial Park.

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, followed by lunch.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Donald’s name may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church

(online giving: https://www.stpaulaustin.org/give-to-st-paul/