He was preceded in death by his father Edward Bertch Sr. and mother Anna Bertch, brother Donald L Bertch, sisters-in-law Darlene Bogstad and Marjorie Stueve, brothers-in-law Duane Haines, Byron Bogstad, and Raymond Stueve and his grand-daughter Kyra Marie Hug. He was survived by his wife, Lois, (married 66 years), his children Dennis, Laurie (Allen Hug) and Brian (Stacy McCollum) and grandchildren Paige Lewis and Mya Heedum, Caleb, Lucas, Eleanor, Malachy and Francis Hug, great-grandson Emmett McCollum, sister-in-law Cheryl Haines, nieces, nephews and friends.
Edward served in the Korean War from February 25, 1953, to December 16, 1954, worked as a wood wire and metal lather, and was a business agent in the Lather's union. After retiring from construction, Ed worked in the maintenance department at Nebraska Skilled Nursing Facility next to Bergan Mercy Hospital.
Edward lost his mother, Anna, to pneumonia at age 7, and him and his brother, Don, were raised by a neighbor and aunts and uncles while his father worked 2 jobs. Ed had a pony when he was a child and the pony only let him and Don ride him, any others who attempted to ride him were bucked off!
Edward loved to be outdoors in his garden, planting vegetables and flowers, collecting aluminum cans to recycle for extra spending money, watching and feeding the birds, watching Nascar racing up until #48 Jimmy Johnson retired and his eyesight failed, making homemade popcorn with a hand-cranked popcorn popper and seasoning it with lots of butter and salt!! Ed also liked going to the casinos occasionally with his wife, Lois, and sister-in-law Darlene. He didn't spend much of his own money but he loved sitting next to Darlene and help her push the buttons on the slot machines. They had a good time and a better time when they won!!
Edward also spent many Saturdays going down to Lincoln, NE to watch the Nebraska Cornhuskers play football with his wife, brother, Don, and sister-in-law Sharon. Ed would also enjoy going to Lauritzen Garden and Midtown Crossing for Jazz on the Green to listen to the music during the summer months.
Edward had 2 beagles when his children were young and 2 beloved Schnauzer/Poodles, Tobi and Nikki who were very spoiled!! He also had several grand-dogs, Dexter, Erny, Dodger, Lexie, Jackson, Minnie and Cookie.
A visitation for Edward will be held Tuesday, September 6, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westlawnhillcrest.com for the Bertch family.
