"In the mid-80s I served a term as a councilperson on the Winona City Council. I am indebted to Bert for the emotional support and encouragement he gave me during that time. He helped me persevere. To the Beyerstedt family Mary and kids: Please accept my sincerest condolences. Submitted 2005/03/16"
In loving memory of
Bert A. Beyerstedt
August 18, 1927 - February 28, 2005
Winona, MN
Bert A. Beyerstedt, 77, life long resident of Winona, died Monday, February 28, 2005 at Lake Winona Manor in Winona, MN. Bert was born August 18, 1927 in LaCrosse, WI to Bert A. and Vera (Davidson) Beyerstedt. He married Mary Jo Cashen on November 14, 1953 in Winona, MN.
Bert served in the U.S. Air Force towards the end of WWII, stationed in Texas. He drove over the road for Winona Drayline, Shirmer Transportations and Ruan Transport until his retirement in 1977. For many years he was a collector of military (especially German) medals and decorations and served as librarian for the Orders & Medals Society of America (OMSA).
Bert loved the outdoors. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, golfing, watching airplanes in flight and classical music. He was well known throughout the community for his billiard playing skills. Bert was an avid reader and member of the Friends of the Library. Bert also served as Campaign Manager for Charles R. Smith who successfully ran and served as County Commissioner for eight years.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo; three daughters, Barb Ramer and Marge Oium of Winona and Mary (Jeff) Kolota of Cary, IL; son, William (Linda) of Winona; grandchildren, Jennifer Rymarkiewicz, Jeffrey Oium, Beckie Langton, Katie Langton and Zach Beyerstedt; sister, Marge Guenther of Onalaska, WI; sister-in-law, Jeanne Wolfe of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Tracy Rymarkiewicz, half sister, Harriet Klemp and brother-in-law, Frank Guenther.
A memorial service will held on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at noon at Hoff Funeral Homes ? Burke Winona Chapel with the Reverend Roy Literski officiating. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be directed to Lake Winona Manor.
Please feel free to share a memory of Bert at: www.hofffuneralhomes.com
Tributes
"I'd like to share some memories I have of my father. Growing up, we didn't see Dad a lot due to the fact that he was a truck driver. When he got off the road, he would have to sleep so we were always being told to be quiet because Dad had to sleep. When he wasn't sleeping, we always knew where we could find him--just a couple blocks from home at the Hurry Back playing his favorite game, billiards (and don't call it pool)! Occasionally, we would visit him there and he would buy us a milk shake at the counter. If he wasn't playing billiards, he was at home blasting his classical music as he whistled along. He also spent many hours on his hobbies of collecting military medals and guns, and hunting and fishing. His favorite spot was Weaver Bottoms. In his later years after suffering the first stroke, he mellowed considerably. It was harder to converse with him because he had lost his short term memory. Everything you would ask him, his reply would be "I don't know" because he couldn't remember anything. Sometimes that was a good thing! The hardest times were when we had to leave him at the Lake Winona Manor last February. As some of you probably know, he was a very strong-willed man, and when he got something in his head, there was no getting around it. We had to tell little lies because he constantly wanted us to dial the phone so he could talk to Mom after she had gone home for the night. He would even trick the nurses into phoning her during the wee hours of the night. The nurses also had quite a time trying to keep him in that bed. During the past year, we spent many hours being with him so Mom could go to church or do her volunteer work. His quality of life declined considerably and he was no longer interested in many of the things he had enjoyed his entire life, but he still had a will to live. I'd go to the house and say, "Hi Dad, how are you today," and his answer was always, "Still breathing." We could count on him to go to the fridge and get chocolate ice cream or chocolate mud pie or wafer cookies and chocolate candies, anything chocolate would do. We would sit at the kitchen table on Sunday mornings doing the Sunday crossword puzzles and right up to the last couple of weeks, he could unscramble letters faster than anyone else. I tried to get him to watch Viking games with me, however, he usually watched for 5 minutes and then would go lay in bed. Then he would holler at me because I was cheering too loud and he couldn't hear the game... In the past year, he also was blessed with having three wonderful caregivers: Becky, Denise and Darlene, who came to know and love him as family. You know Dad loved you guys as he would never let them leave without hugs and kisses. I would also like to thank my mother--because of her love and devotion to my Dad kept him with us just a little bit longer... their love only got stronger during the hard times. Until we meet again, I will always love and miss you, Dad. And don't worry, we're taking good care of Mom. "
"My father had so many facets to who he was as a man and I being his daughter can only speak to my relationship with him on that particular level. Let me tell all of you pool hall/billiard playing/Hurry Back guys out there...when I was in high school it wasn't easy growing up with the "billiard playing" legend of Winona. It seemed as if every teenage guy in town knew my dad from the Hurry Back. It is only now as an adult that I can see the impact that he had on so many lives. Thank you all for being a part of his life."
"Bert was a fine man,and a good friend,he was a good asset to the Winona pool Club,He helped in anyway he could and a fine Billiard Player.We will all miss him, but not forget him.Bert you will be forever in our hearts.from Ray Hatten and Dusty Ludtke and all of us at the Winona Pool Club..."
"I am sorry for your loss!!! Please accept my condolences."
""all my shots are nice" with a smile after being kissed in for a billiard."
"Our thoughts are with you Mary. "
"I'm deeply sorry for your terrible loss. Bert was a great influence to me during our times together. A Christmas doesn't go by with out my thoughts going back to Winona and learning billiards on a cold Christmas morning.Take care and if there is anything I can do please call. Love, Tex"