Gideon Bertsch, age 91, of Menno, SD, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2015.

Gideon, son of Emanuel and Henrietta (Stoller) Bertsch, was born on May 9, 1924 at the Bertsch family homestead, located 9 miles west of Freeman.

Gideon liked to tell the story that he was the 7th child of a family of 15, having 7 brothers and 7 sisters, and that he had 7 letters in his first and last names and he married the 7th child (Mabel Tschetter).

Gideon was baptized as an infant at the Johannestal Reformed Church, rural Freeman, SD and was confirmed there in 1939. After marrying Mabel Tschetter on February 2, 1945, Gideon, upon reaffirmation of his Christian faith, was baptized as an adult on June 22, 1947 by Rev. Dave W. Tschetter, Gideon’s father-in-law. Gideon remained a member of the Salem K.M.B. Church until his death.

Gideon was married to Mabel Tschetter until her death on October 30, 2002, such marriage having lasted for 57 years and 8 months. Born to this union were three sons, Darryl (Mary) Bertsch, Shawnee, KS; Delmar (Pat) Bertsch, Watertown, SD; and Emanuel (Jeri) Bertsch, Oklahoma City, OK. A daughter was also born, Romalee Faye Bertsch, who passed away at birth.

When Gideon and Mabel were first married they farmed near Mabel’s family in Hutchinson County, SD. They then moved to Mitchell, SD where Gideon worked for Elweins Bottling Co., Coco Cola Co., Fenn’s Ice Cream Co, and Morman’s Feed Co. In 1984 Gideon and Mabel moved to Enid, OK, where they served as custodians for 14.5 years for the Enid MB Church. In 1998 they moved back to SD.

After the death of Mabel, Gideon married his sister-in-law Arlene Kuhlman Bertsch. They were married at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at Clayton, SD, on October 17, 2003.

Gideon was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Mabel; their daughter, Romalee Faye; their son, Emanuel; his 7 brothers and 7 sisters; and Mabel’s 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

Whenever there was a birthday, Gideon was sure to whistle Happy Birthday. Gideon loved to entertain people with his ability to whistle and often visited nursing homes to whistle a smile on the face of its residents.