Kathleen Marie Bertoch

Kathleen M. Bertoch, age 84 of Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota died February 22, 2014, at Battle Lake Good Samaritan in Battle Lake, MN.

Kathleen was born to Randolph and Hilfred (Swanson) Araskog in Fergus Falls, MN on November 20, 1929. Growing up, Kathleen lived on the family farm, attended school, and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1947. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelors of Arts. While at Gustavus, Kathleen met Ronald Henry Bertoch and they were united in marriage June 10, 1951 in Fergus Falls, MN. While Ron served in the United States Army in Korea from 1952 to 1954, Kathleen worked in Battle Lake, MN, teaching. After the birth of their son, Rand, in 1956, Kay and Ron moved to Moorhead while Ron pursued his Master’s degree.

Kathleen and Ronald moved to Minot, North Dakota where Kathleen taught English and was librarian at Jim Hill Junior High until her retirement in 1988. Kathleen moved to Bismarck, ND while Ron was employed by BNI. It was during this time that they built their lake home on Ottertail Lake, MN. Kay and Ron returned to Minot in 1995 after Ron’s retirement. They made the permanent move to Lake Ottertail in 2001.

Kathleen cared for Ron after his diagnosis of ALS in 2007 until his death in 2011. She moved to the Battle Lake Senior Living in the fall of 2011. Always an avid reader, she spent afternoons reading her favorite authors. During the time that her grandson, Devin, was in grade school, he spent summers with his grandparents at the lake. Kay spent hours with him in the water and on the dock. Kathleen was active in church activities; a member of WELCA, and was trained and served as a Stephen Minister.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; parents, Randolph and Hilfred Araskog; sister, Helen; and brother-in-law, DeWayne Anderson.

Kathleen is survived by her son, Rand and wife, Ann of Baxter, MN; grandson, Devin of Baxter; brother, Rand and wife, Jesse of Palm Beach, FL; brother – in – law, Don and wife, Vicki of Tallahassee, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

Kathleen’s funeral will be held on April 24, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Amor, with Pastor Jim Gronbeck, officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church and interment in the Amor Cemetery will follow the service. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are entrusted to the Olson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.
The family prefers memorials to the Zion Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com


Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 11 AM, at Zion Lutheran Church in Amor
Clergy: Reverend Jim Gronbeck
Interment: Amor Cemetery
Arrangements are with Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN