Bernard Pertzborn

1929 - 2021

Pertzborn, Bernard J.

COLGATE - Father Bernard J. Pertzborn entered into the Fullness of Eternal Life on Feb. 4, 2021, after a long illness; he was 91. He was born at the family farm in Roxbury on March 23, 1929, the son of Frank and Clara (Ballweg) Pertzborn.

Fr. Bernie graduated from St. Francis Seminary and was ordained in 1960. After serving as associate pastor at St. Stanislaus, Berlin and St. Luke's, Plain, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as military chaplain from 1966-1973. Stationed in Idaho, New Mexico, Thailand and Greece, his service provided opportunities for travel. After his discharge from the military he served as pastor at St. John's, Patch Grove, before becoming chaplain at VA Hospitals in Madison, Wis., and Cleveland, Ohio, until his retirement.

Bernie was always there to help his family and others with his kind and selfless nature. Growing up on a farm cultivated a lifelong passion for gardening; he had a garden wherever he lived and shared his bounty through the wonderful meals he cooked or preserved. He continued to travel to different countries and explored his artistic talents during retirement. He was a quiet, caring, creative and generous soul. Those who met him became lifelong friends; he will be greatly missed.

Bernie is survived by his sisters, Adeline Berlin and Rita Hellenbrand; his sister-in-law, Patricia Pertzborn; and many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Joseph, Norbert, and Edward Pertzborn; sister-in-law, Evelyn Koeppel; and brother-in-law, Robert Hellenbrand.

A memorial Mass will be held at a later date at St. Norbert's Church, Roxbury. Donations may be made in Fr. Bernie's memory to St. Norbert's Church, the Milwaukee Rescue Mission (www.milmission.org), or to an organization of your choice. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Audrey and Kathy Hospice for their loving care and support of Bernie.