Lynn "Bird" Bertelsen

Lynn “Bird” Bertelsen, age 58, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at home with his family by his side.

Lynn was born on December 8, 1958, in Underwood, Iowa, to Kenneth and Doris Bertelsen. Lynn graduated from Underwood High School in 1977. On March 17, 1989, he married Sheila in Burlington, KY. Lynn worked at Midwest Office Technology for 21 years.

Lynn had many hobbies that he enjoyed. He loved spending time at home with his wife and daughters. He had a soft spot for animals and his dogs held a very special place in his heart. He spent a lot of days working out in his garage or out in the yard. Anytime something broke, you could always count on him to stop what he was doing and he did his best to fix it. He also had a big passion for his motorcycles. He loved taking Sheila for rides, visiting various Harley shops and talking with other motorcycle enthusiasts. He loved to entertain his friends and family by cooking great meals indoors, or outdoors, on one of his many grills. He never failed to yield a hearty laugh with his jokes and his enthusiasm for the latest gadgets. He never knew a stranger and his kind-hearted soul will never be forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Bertelsen and dog, Abbie.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila Bertelsen; children, Veronica Lynn Bertelsen, Gina Nicole Bertelsen; mother, Doris Bertelsen Grote; siblings, Gail Bertelsen, Susan (Gerry) Schmidt, Kirsten Botello; mother and father-in-law, Marion and Connie Plumb; sisters-in-law, Lezli (Steve) Root, Trisha (Nick) McGrain, Rhonda (Robert) Casson; nieces and nephews, Melissa, Hanna, Stephanie, Lezli, Meagan, Hailey, Colby, Erika, Jordan, Natalie, and Lawson; several friends; and dog, Chubs.

A memorial gathering will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale, Iowa. A memorial service will be at 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home & Crematory in Council Bluffs. A celebration of life reception will be held after the memorial service at the McClelland Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Colon Cancer Foundation of Iowa.