Bert Erwin Zumberge

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Zumberge Bert Erwin Zumberge, father of four, eldest brother of five, grandfather of nine, great-grandfather of two, decorated war hero, and good friend to many, died on May 31, 2005 at the N.C. Little Hospice in Edina after a final battle with cancer. Bert was born to Erwin and LaRena Zumberge in Helena, Montana on June 29, 1924. He grew up in Minneapolis, and graduated from West High School in 1942. In January, 1943, Bert joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was seriously wounded in the Gilbert Islands, in the Pacific Theater of Operations in November of that year. Bert received a Citation for Gallantry in Action from Admiral Nimitz, along with a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for his bravery in combat while attempting to save the life of a mortally wounded friend. After two years in recuperative care in a military hospital in CA, Bert returned to Minneapolis where he was employed by Dayton's Department Store. The ‘Women's Scarves' counter at Dayton's is where Bert met the love of his life, Gretta Hansen. They raised four children and were married for thirty-seven years before Gretta unexpectedly passed away in 1984. Bert worked at Dayton's for over forty years until his retirement in 1987 as the Manager of Customer Services. Bert was a loving family man, who basked in the warmth of deep relationships with family and friends. Bert's MT roots never left him as he loved to fish and hunt throughout his years. Family camping vacations on the North Shore of Lake Superior became a tradition which has carried down through generations. Everyone enjoyed Bert's ability to tell tall tales, his uncanny knack for playing practical jokes on the unsuspecting, and his determination to keep Kodak in business by processing the countless pictures that he took over the years. He was known by many as ‘All-Heart' for his love of family, and his wide ranging compassion for others. Bert will be deeply missed by his children, Judy and Gary Nelson, Gary and Sue Zumberge, Brian and Vicky Zumberge, Rena and Craig Knutson, along with his grandchildren, Melissa, Rebecca, Lillian, Jacob, Mary Emma, Troy, Jessika, Kristin, and Hannah; two great-grandchildren, Ryley and Sydney; brothers and sister, Jack (Shirley) Zumberge, Nile (Norma) Zumberge, Mary (Jim) Haworth, Littleton, CO; and Terry (Joyce) Zumberge; uncle, Kenneth Colbo, Deer Lodge, MT; sister-in-law Elinor Strot, San Antonio, TX; brother- in-law Henry (Shirley) Hansen; and his special friend Rose Hoppenrath. All of Bert's family and friends from MN and MT, Dayton's and Pilgrim Lutheran Church will miss him dearly. Family and friends would like to thank everyone at N.C. Little Hospice for their care and comfort during the time Bert was with them. Visitation will be Sunday, June 5, 2005 from 3 to 6 PM at Werness Brothers, 3500 W. 50th St., Mpls. Services will be held on Monday, June 6, 2005 at 10 AM at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 3901 1st Ave. S., Mpls. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. WERNESS BROTHERS 612-927-8641 dignitymemorial.com

Published on June 2, 2005