Bert Lovelace

Bert Lovelace, 98, of Fergus Falls, died peacefully on Friday, May 30, 2014, at his home with family by his side.

Bert L. Lovelace was born on October 20, 1915 in Moville, Iowa the son of James C. and Bertha (Dibborn) Lovelace. His family moved from Iowa to Minnesota, when he was very young and he grew up in the Foxhome/Everdale area. He graduated from the Foxhome School, completing the eighth grade. Even though Bert's formal education ended in the eighth grade, he never stopped learning. He was self educated after that, reading a wide range of topics. When Bert was in his 80's he passed the GED test without even studying for it. He was proud of this accomplishment.

As a young man, Bert farmed in the Foxhome/Everdale area. On June 7, 1952, he married Dolly Joyce Stanton in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the first two years together they lived in Pipestone, MN, and in Tucson, AZ. Bert owned an implement dealership in Tyler, MN with his brother, George before marrying Dolly. Later Bert and Dolly moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota with their daughter, Linda, where they resided for 13 years and owned and operated L & M TV Service.

In 1968 Bert and Dolly moved their family to Fergus Falls and in 1970 purchased a hobby farm north of town, where he could have his horses. While living in rural Fergus Falls, Bert was employed as a Sales Manager for Rueben Klein Motors for 13 years. After retiring from auto sales, Bert started his saw dust and scrap wood delivery service, he always wanted to be busy. Following Bert's last retirement in 2003 the couple moved to their current home in Fergus Falls.

One of his loves was riding and caring for horses, which began when he was a boy. He used to live trap skunks in the fall and carry them home in a gunny sack on his one-eyed pony, Riley. He kept them in a wood shed and fed them until their pelts were prime in the winter. He also farmed with teams of horses, including broncs that his father purchased and broke. He spent many years on trail rides at Maplewood State Park, with his daughters, and later on with his granddaughter, Nicky and her friends. Bert's two favorite horses in his later years were his Arabian geldings, Gasref and CharLee. He enjoyed his last trail ride at the young age of 95. Bert also loved playing pinochle and did so up until the last year of his life (still winning). He also enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife Dolly; a sister, Irene; brothers, Verlon, Melvin and George; five sisters-in-law, and five brothers-in-law, Hazel Lovelace, Laurie Barsdate, Mae Stanton, Belle Miller, Kyoko Stanton, Kenneth Stanton, Robert Stanton, Budd Stanton, Garold Miller, and Dean Knapper.

He is survived by two daughters, Linda (Rodney) Schmidt of Fergus Falls and Laura (John) Tate of Wahpeton; grandchildren, Nicky (Erick) Nelson, John Jr.( Jessica) Tate, Sarah (Travis) Kinder, and Natasha (Casey) Carlisle; great grandchildren, Ainsley Nelson, Robert Tate, Jessica Tate, Jesse Tate, Nicole Krause, Bryce Awender, Joshua Tate, Isaiah Neumann, Dominick Carlisle, and Michael Carlisle; three sisters-in-law Gladys Knapper, June Stanton and Betty Stanton; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Also surviving is Tim Gardin, a caring friend who made it possible for Bert to stay in his own home by helping with errands, taking care of the property, and making his meals when Bert couldn't cook anymore, and Bert thought of him like a son.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Visitation: Friday from 4 to 7 pm at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Curtis Deterding
Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Arrangements are with the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.