SANDRA DEON BERTELSEN

SANDRA DEON BERTELSEN On Monday, April 10, 2023, Sandra Deon Bertelsen, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother left us in a cloud of love at the age of 85 surrounded by her family. Sandra was born June 19, 1937, in Tabor, IA to Naomi Belle (Ferrel) Queen and Ralph A Queen. She attended school in Tabor, IA, was the homecoming queen, and graduated from Tabor High School. She then attended Drake University and received her teaching certificate. On June 16, 1957, she married Freeman James Bertelsen, her high school sweetheart. Together they raised three children: Kimberlee Deon, Mark Edwin, and James Kirk (Jamie). She and Freeman lived in Tabor, IA for 32 years. Sandra spent over 25 years at the U.S. Post Office in many roles including Postmaster at Tabor and Sidney, IA. She was also an active member of PEO for over 67 years. In 1989, she and Freeman moved to Thurman, IA where they purchased and operated 'The Plum Creek Inn and Cottage Bed and Breakfast'. In 2002 they moved to Brownville, NE where they purchased and operated the 'Pierce Cottage' and 'Deer Run Suites Bed & Breakfast'. They both loved hosting B&B guests and were well-known for their wonderful breakfasts and dinners. In 2017, Freeman and Sandra moved to Papillion, NE to be closer to family. Sandra was a kind soul who radiated down-to-earth goodness to all she met. When she was humming, all was right with the world, and neighborhood children were fascinated by the soothing sound. She was known for being able to bake anything, was a talented seamstress, and was a virtual mother to all the neighborhood children. Sandra was preceded in death by her husband Freeman, her father Ralph, her mother Naomi, her brother Donald, and her infant son Scott Edwin. She is survived by her children Kimberlee (Bertelsen) Johnson and husband Greg Pella of Brownville, NE; Mark Bertelsen and wife Melissa of Papillion, NE; and son Jamie and wife Connie of Springfield, NE. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren Dane Johnson and Mary McCandless of Papillion, NE; Lauren (Johnson) Wymore and husband Nick of Cape Coral, FL; Drew Johnson of Elkhorn, NE; Max Johnson and wife Ashton of Cedar Rapids, IA; Marcus Johnson of Omaha, NE; Matthew Bertelsen and wife Sarah of Ralston, NE; Chloe Bertelsen of Omaha, NE; Mark (Christian) Bertelsen of Papillion, NE; Layna Stanley and husband Evan of Glenwood, IA; Tom Bertelsen of Colorado Springs, CO; and Hillary Bertelsen of Des Moines, IA. Great-grandchildren include Parker James Johnson; Jude Freeman, Ethan James, and Louis Avery Wymore; Henry Freeman and Eleanor Grace Bertelsen; Deagan James Stanley and Berkley Lynn Stanley; and Zachary Lee Bertelsen. She is also survived by sister Lynda (Queen) Jensen of Olathe, KS; sister-in-law Jane (Winkler) Dwornicki and husband Frank of Ralston, NE; sister-in-law Barbara Winkler of Sidney, IA; numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and a host of dear friends and neighbors, young and old. Graveside services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Tabor Cemetery with Rev. Leroy Gerner and Mr. Gary Moles officiating. Celebration of Life with the family greeting friends will be from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Saturday at the Brownville Concert Hall in Brownville, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorials will go to the Brownville Concert Hall. The Marshall Funeral Chapel in Tabor, IA oversees arrangements.