Eloise Marie Bertelson

1930 - 2024

Eloise Marie (Kierscht) Bertelson

December 5, 1930 - October 11, 2024

Our dear mother Eloise Marie (Kierscht) Bertelson, age 93 years, ten months, peacefully passed away, at her home, on October 11, 2024, 49 days after a catastrophic stroke, allowing her children the honor of caring for her in her home. She was a wonderful mother who was the heart of our home and family and offered support, wisdom, and love in abundance.

Eloise was born at home on December 5, 1930, in Logan, Iowa to Alfred and Lillie (Schoening) Kierscht. Eloise attended Logan and Missouri Valley Schools and met Jack when they were sophomores in High School. They graduated in 1949 and married in 1951. They were married for almost 70 years.

Eloise was a dedicated, lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She served on a variety of church committees and generously contributed to, and served, the church. She taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. She was an inaugural member of the Church Women's Circle and regularly hosted meetings in her home.

As well, Eloise was a Bluebird Group Leader, a Campfire Girls Leader, a volunteer for adult literacy (she taught many adults the joy of reading and received recognition from the Governor), an active member of the Hospital Auxiliary, and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She was a founding member of Tuesday Club and was an active participant for over 65 years. For over twenty years, she volunteered at the Surprise, Arizona High School in the day care program for infants and toddlers, allowing teenage parents to earn their high school diploma.

In 1960, the Bertelson Family of six moved into their new home on Snyder Street where Eloise lived for close to 65 years. Together, Eloise and Jack raised four children and were instrumental in shaping the lives of their five grandchildren and their families.

Devoted to her family, Eloise was the ultimate homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and hostess. Her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and acquaintances could always count on her support in whatever they chose to do. Eloise loved being physically active especially on her tennis court and in her garden and kitchen. She was always willing to babysit her grandchildren and the children and grandchildren of friends.

Eloise was an accomplished and versatile seamstress and made most of her daughters' clothes. She made a countless number of embroidered and t-shirt quilts for graduates, designed and sewed window coverings for her home as well as her children's and grandchildren's homes, altered bridal gowns, prom dresses, and did alterations for anyone who asked. She embroidered blocks and sewed more than 90 baby quilts that were given to nieces, nephews, and close friends. She also made and donated many children's clothes, Christmas stockings, and Cancer Caps.

Eloise, with her husband, traveled extensively throughout the US, including Hawaii and Alaska. They also visited the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, and Slovakia. She spent time every summer with Jack's large family at Bertelson Corner in Bemidji, Minnesota, and spent over 20 years wintering in Surprise, Arizona.

Eloise was a healthy and active woman with graciousness and elegance who loved life, enjoyed people, and was always happy to visit with friends, family, and strangers. Most importantly, she was a generous, welcoming, and approachable person. Her motto was always "It's not doing what you enjoy, it's enjoying what you do" and she found joy in everything she did.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister in law, Sally Kierscht, niece, Vickie Kierscht, daughter in law, Jan Bertelson, and brother, Orville Kierscht. She is survived by her brother, Alvin Kierscht, son, Kim (Liza), daughters, Amy (David), Tammie, and Teresa, grandsons Nicholas (Molly), Noah (MaKayla), and Tory (Carlee), granddaughters, Racine and Lyra, great grandchildren, Lillie, Magnolia, Miles, and Eloise, sisters in law, Norma Kierscht and Joann Kierscht, and countless other loving family members and friends. She was the heart and soul of our family, and she will be dearly missed.

VISITATION will be held on Tuesday, October 15, from 5 to 7 p.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held on Wednesday, October 16, at 11 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa. A luncheon will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Church Parrish Hall.

The family would like memorials to go to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Harrison County Food Pantry, or Generations Hospice.

Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home. Online Condolences, www.hennesseyonline.com.

Hennessey Funeral Home