Bert Jespersen
Dec. 16, 1930-Feb. 18, 2017
ANTLER – Bert Emil
Jespersen, 86, Bismarck,
formerly of Antler, died
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at
a Bismarck hospital.
He was born Dec. 16,
1930, to Christian Mueller
and Elsie (Sieffert) Jesper-
sen. Bert attended school
in Kuroki, up to the 8th
grade when he was need-
ed on the farm.
Bert served in the Army
during the Korean War,
and after being honorably
discharged, he helped on
the family farm.
Bert married Luella
Watland, of Antler, on
July 24, 1955. Together
they were blessed with six
children. Bert did con-
struction in many places
including building his
own home and working at
the Minot Air Force Base.
He worked with his
brother-in-law, Alfred
Mjoen, and other area
contractors while doing
handy man jobs
throughout the area for
many years.
Bert also took over the
family farm in Wayne
Township, Bottineau
County. The farm was
known as the Old
McDonald Farm because
Dad always said, “They
raised everything except
horses and goats.” When
anybody stopped by the
farm, Dad was always
happy to include them in
feeding lambs, milking
cows or picking eggs.
He enjoyed spending
time with family and
friends, whether giving
rides in a wagon, giving
sled rides behind the
power wagon, hauling hay
or playing cards. Dad also
liked woodworking pro-
jects and was always
building something.
Bert and Luella moved
to Bismarck in June of
2009, due to health rea-
sons. He always enjoyed
the opportunity to go back
to the farm. Luella died
July 6, 2012.
Bert was member of
Bethel Lutheran Brethren
Church, rural Antler, the
American Legion, Antler
Rural Fire Department
and Wayne Township
Board of Directors, Bot-
tineau County.
Family: Bert is sur-
vived by his children,
Kathy Jespersen,
Bismarck, Keryl (Ken)
Lesmann, Minot, Kristene
Jespersen, Bismarck,
Brent (Cindy) Jespersen,
Bismarck, Tommy
(Cheryl) Jespersen, Velva,
and Oren (Sheri) Jesper-
sen, Antler; many
grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, and
nieces and nephews.
Bert was preceded in
death by: his parents;
wife, Luella; brother, Mer-
ton Jespersen; sister, Clara
Floyd; and granddaughter,
Jena Jespersen.
Funeral: 2 p.m., Fri-
day, Feb. 24, 2017, at
Bethel Lutheran Brethren
Church, rural Antler.
Burial: Bethel Luth-
eran Brethren Church
Cemetery, rural Antler.
Family Service: 7 p.m.,
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017,
at the funeral home.
Visitation: 2 to 7 p.m.,
Thursday, at Brose Fun-
eral Home, Mohall.