Genevieve "Genny" Carol Bertness

Genevieve “Genny” Carol Bertness, the daughter of Arnold and Alma Van Houten, was born in Winnebago, NE, on July 15, 1931.   After attending a variety of schools in Nebraska and Iowa, Genny graduated from Sioux Rapids High School in 1949. 

     On October 1, 1950, Genny married Bubby Bertness at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids.  Following their marriage, the couple lived in the communities of Sioux Rapids and Marathon, eventually moving to a farm south of Linn Grove in 1955.  They were blessed with two daughters, Brenda and Diane.  Genny was Bubby’s partner in farming while running the house to perfection.  She was a member of PEO Chapter GJ for seventy years and was very involved in Trinity Lutheran Church in Linn Grove.   

     After they retired, Genny and Bubby made their new home in Arnolds Park.  Genny became a member of First Lutheran Church in Milford and was involved in Team Wave, an organization that helps with the beautification of Arnolds Park.  Genny and Bubby enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and later, Mesa, AZ. 

     Genny had many gifts.  She loved to bake and was always feeding her friends and family her delicious creations.  She collected cookbooks and loved trying new recipes.  She was a gifted seamstress and made clothes and teddy bears for her family.  She had an eye for design, and her home was immaculate and beautifully decorated.   Genny loved to shop and was always dressed with classic elegance.  Genny and Bubby were part of the same card club for over 50 years.  They enjoyed golfing and  having fun with their friends.  One of her greatest joys was her family, especially spending time together at the lake.

     For the past seven years, Genny has lived at St. Luke’s in Spencer.  Genny passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, August 18, 2022.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin “Bubby” Bertness, her parents, two sisters and their husbands: Dolores Zimmer and her husband Robert “Bud” and Charlotte Halverson and her husband Norman, and her sister-in-law: Carolyn Bertness. 

     Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters:  Brenda Halverson and her husband, Frank, of Linn Grove, IA and Diane Brunsting and her husband, Doug, of Hawarden, IA; 4 grandchildren: Kerri Smith and her husband, Michael, Holly McHone and her husband, Aaron, Josh Brunsting and his wife, Kelsi and Kyle Brunsting and special friend Jenni LeSuer; 6 great grandchildren: Alanna, Aiden, Alexa, Corban, Gracia, and Jace; one brother-in-law, Kenny Bertness, and his wife Coke Anderson; other relatives and many friends. 

     In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hawarden Public Library,  Lutheran Services of IA, or a charity of your choosing.

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