Verner Laurits Bertelsen

Verner Laurits Bertelsen, died on the evening of Aug. 18, 2015, at the age of 97.

He had been diagnosed with cancer in January of 2014. Verner spent the last six weeks of his life at Touchmark in Helena, but prior to that had been vigorously caring for his home and garden, making great cookies and remaining active in governmental concerns for senior citizens and all Montanans. Verner testified at the Capitol, even into 2015, to help preserve the Montana Coal Trust for future Montana generations.

Verner was born in Froid on July 19, 1918. He attended grade school and high school in Froid and graduated from Northern Montana College in Havre in 1938. Verner has lived in Helena for the past 38 years, having moved from Ovando. He was an elementary school teacher in Helmville and then Ovando, from 1938 to 1969, a rancher from 1947 to 1977, the Powell County Commissioner from 1951 to 1957, and a Montana House of Representative from 1975 to 1984, where he served on many committees, being the chairman of Local Government and Revenue Oversight. He was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Ted Schwinden and served from April 21, 1988, until December of 1988.

Vermer served as Chairman of the of the Developmental Disabilities Planning and Advisory Council, was appointed to serve on the Governor's Council for Tobacco Use Prevention, was appointed by Secretary of State Mike Cooney to the Election Advisory Council, President of the Montana Advocacy Program and was a Montana Senior representative to the White House Conference on Aging. He was President of the Golden Nuggets senior citizen club and was a Lobbyist for the Montana Senior Citizens Association. Verner was Chairman of the Montana Coal Trust for many years.

Verner was married first to Ellen Bentsen, his childhood sweetheart, who died shortly after the birth of their son, Allen Verner Bertelsen. Allen was born Nov. 13, 1939, and died after a surgery in March of 2009. Allen's wife, Jan, moved from Bozeman, last year to San Diego, Calif, with their youngest daughter Julie, to reside near their other daughter, Beth Ellen Bertelsen-Purtirka. Beth is married to Sandy and they have two children, James and Jamie. Mark Bertelsen with his wife, Lisa, live in Selah, Wash., and have a son, Brandon, who attends the University of Utah.

Verner's second wife was Marjorie Wendt, who died in 1975. Two children, David Laurits Bertelsen and Annette Elizabeth Bertelsen, were born to them. David and his wife, Karen, live in Wibaux. They have two sons, Jeffrey and Gregg. Jeff lives with his wife Tina and daughter Shantel in Wibaux. Jeff's oldest son, Travis, lives in Wibaux with his wife Jonna. Jeff's other son Chase is attending Rocky Mountain College in Billings. Gregg lives with his wife Jessica in Dickinson, N.D., with their son Trenten. Annette lives in Helena. Annette's son Jason lives with his wife Vicki and children, Ben and Adelle, in St. Augustine, Fla. Annette's oldest son, Dustin, died in Seattle, Wash., at the age of 35.

Verner wed his third wife, Judy Edwards, in 1975. She died in 2001. Judy's son, Jim Nelson, with his wife Fay, live in Helena. Their daughter Jennifer and husband, Sam Cummins, live with their daughter Caroline in Missoula.

Verner's forth, and last wife, was Dorothea Cool. They wed in 1993, both the ages of 75. This was Dorothea's first and only marriage. She and Verner had been engaged briefly at the ages of 18 and then rekindled their romance after the death of Verner's third wife. They enjoyed 10 years of marriage prior to her death in 2003.

Verner's current love of the last 11 years has been Betty Barraugh. They have loved, honored, and cherished each other with the great respect and admiration of Verner's other family members. Betty resides in Helena with her son, Eric, and daughter Terri.

Verner was a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1954, where he was an Elder, on the Nominating Committee, and an Usher. He even served as a Pastor for the occasional need in Ovando. Verner attended the Catholic Church jointly in respect to his wife Judy. And he attended the Assembly of God Church jointly in respect to his wife Dorothea.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m., Sept. 6, 2015. His service will be held in conjunction with the regular Church Services at The First Presbyterian Church of Helena, 535 North Ewing Street. Refreshments will be served after. A graveside service will be held at the Ovando Cemetery at approximately 3:30 p.m.

We, the family, are so appreciative of the many superb people who have worked with, supported, enjoyed, loved, and enhanced the life of our fine father, partner, husband, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be soulfully missed but is trusted to be with us through spirit and gene.