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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.