Urban A. Bertke July 9, 1937 - November 9, 2023

URBAN A. BERTKE, age 86,
of New Bremen, died on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 10:55 A.M. at the Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen. He was born on July 9, 1937, in Maria Stein, the son of the late Ivo O. and Christina J. (Albers) Bertke. On June 17, 1961, he married Dorothy F. Sommer, who died on December 17, 2017. Surviving are his children: Dale (Karen) Bertke of Minster, Tim (Mandy) Bertke, Scott (Carla) Bertke, Rodney Bertke, all of New Bremen, and Ann (Randy) Schulze of Maria Stein; thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (with two more on the way). Also left to cherish his memory are his sisters: Jovita Osterloh of St. Henry and Sister Martha Bertke of Salem Heights, his in-laws: Betty Bertke of Maria Stein, Donald Sommer of Anna, Albert Sommer of Sidney, Marilyn Heyne of Coldwater, and Marilyn Sommer of New Bremen. Along with his parents and wife, Urban was preceded in death by his siblings and in-laws: Deacon Omer (Rita) Bertke, Lewis (Rita) Bertke, Stanley Bertke, Aloys “Junior” Sommer, Othmar Osterloh, Richard (Mary Ann) Sommer, Maryann Sommer and Marilyn Sommer.

Urban was a faithful member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in New Bremen. He was a 1955 graduate of the former St. Johns High School, and went on to serve his country for six years in the U.S. Army National Guard. He had worked for Crown Equipment Corp., the former Minster Lumber Co., the former Friemering Furniture, the former Willhoff’s Furniture, a bus driver for New Bremen Schools, and bus instructor for New Bremen and Minster Schools for many years. He was a founding member and avid supporter of the New Bremen Athletic Boosters and enjoyed being part of the chain gang and following New Bremen football and basketball games. He was also a fan of the Reds, the Bengals, and the OSU Buckeyes. He had been a member of the New Bremen American Legion and the Minster Eagles. Urban and Dorothy belonged to a card club for over 50 years, and also enjoyed many fun times with the “gang party.” Urban enjoyed spending time fishing at Lake Erie, pitching horse shoes, playing cards with his friends, putting together puzzles, collecting Dicken’s Village pieces, and spending time with his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in New Bremen with the Rev. Fr. Ken Alt officiating. Interment will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery of New Bremen. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 2:00 until 6:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and again on Monday from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. the church. The Rosary will then be prayed at 10:00 A.M. Memorial contributions in memory of Urban can be made to Grand Lake Hospice, the New Bremen Foundation, or to the New Bremen Athletic Boosters (for student scholarships). The Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen has been entrusted with the arrangements, and memories and condolences to the Bertke family can be shared online at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.