Joseph Henry Bertram

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, beginning at 3:00 pm going until 6:00 pm at the Ankeny Funeral Home, 1510 West First Street, Ankeny, Iowa 50023.

Joseph was born on October 5, 1954, in Davenport, Iowa, to Henry and Frances (Fouts) Bertram. He graduated from West High School in 1973. After high school, Joseph worked at John Deere and later at Florist Distributing Inc. On January 5, 1985, he was united in marriage to Judi DeVol. Together, they raised six children: April, Amber, Shane, Josh, Jason, and Joey. 

In the fall of 1994, he and his family moved to Ankeny, Iowa.  Upon moving to Ankeny, Joseph continued his career at Florist Distributing Inc., where he worked for 42 years and rose to the position of Assistant Vice President of Plant Procurement. In recognition of his lifelong passion for horticulture, FDI has established the Joseph H. Bertram Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will support students pursuing studies in horticulture, carrying forward a legacy of nurturing growth and learning. 

Joseph found joy in many simple pleasures: listening to music, tinkering with gadgets, watching storms roll in, following Formula 1 races, and exploring new restaurants with his wife. He was often found tossing snacks to the squirrels outside his home, admiring their intelligence and cleverness. He was a loving and devoted husband and father who took great pride in his family. 

Joseph is survived by his wife, Judi; six children: April (Tom) Burlage, Amber (Steve) Slabaugh, Shane Conner, Josh (Gretchen) Bertram, Jason Bertram, and Joey (Lindsay) Bertram; fifteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a brother, Phil (Kelly) Bertram. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Nels D. Nielsen; and a sister, Karla Bertram. 

Memorials may be directed to the family and will be donated to a charity of their choosing, in Joseph’s memory. 

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for the Bertram family.