Engelbert "Bert" Ternes

Engelbert “Bert” Ternes died of natural causes at St. Alexius hospital on Thursday, February 11, 2010. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday at 11:30 AM at Church of St. Anne, 1315 Braman Avenue, Bismarck, with Rev. Ed Wehner officiating. Burial will be at the ND Veteran’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday from 12:00 – 4:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Avenue, Bismarck. A vigil service will be held on Monday evening at 7:00 PM at Church of St. Anne. Visitation will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Bert was born on February 27, 1929, in Shields, ND, to Anselm and Deonella Braun Ternes. He grew up on the family farm where he learned the value of an honest days work. He attended Thane Elementary School through the 8th grade. He was then drafted into the Army at age 21 where he served in France. Bert saved enough money to buy a brand new 1953 Ford when he was discharged. In 1953, he married the love of his life his Sweetie Face, Ramona Blotsky. Ramona and Bert eventually made their home in Bismarck in 1956 where Bert was fortunate to land a job as a brick tender for Lunn Construction. In 1960, he went on his own and eventually started "Bert Ternes Masonry" which became a highly respected business. He was passionate about his work, which is evident in the countless monuments, homes, and businesses in our community. Bert and Ramona had nine children. He was proud to provide each of them a Catholic education. Bert glowed when he was surrounded by his nineteen grandchildren, and his eight great-grandchildren. Bert loved collecting antiques and could not pass up an auction. Bert was a kind-hearted, hard-working man whom never really retired. He was a role model to all who came into contact with him. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone. He enjoyed playing both the accordion and piano even though he couldn’t read a musical note. His talents included: playing whist, telling stories, welding, sausage making, joke telling, growing tomatoes, junk scavenging, and building brick monuments and fireplaces with custom arches and wagon wheels. You could always find Bert in a red, white, and blue hat, with a homemade bandage somewhere on him, wearing his work boots unless it was Sunday when he put on his cowboy boots, reading a history book, talking to anyone because he knew that everyone had a story, playing with his grandchildren/great-grandchildren, building or fixing things in his shop, and concocting hot sauces and peppers for his burgers. It didn't matter if you called him Bert, Dad, Uncle Bert, Grandpa Bert, Gramps, Great-Grandpa Bert, brother, boss or a friend. No one could resist the short little guy who spent most of his days wearing suntan pants and work boots. He had you wrapped around his little finger once he said your name. It made you feel like he had something important to tell you! He was affiliated with the AmVets, The Eagles, and American Legion. Bert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ramona; his sons, Cliff, Gary Angie, Bert Jr. Cindy, and Kurt Sheila; his daughters, Bernie Bill Kuhlmann, Janice Chris Clemens, Pam Mike Clemens, Donna Brian Mericle, and Renae Lance Larson; his brothers, Bill Ida, Al Alice, Larry Stella, Baldwin Irene, and Balzer Joan; his sisters, Linda Gustin, Nesa Beggar, Mini Ron Keller, and Alvina John Buck; his sisters-in-law; Theresa Ternes and Mary Ternes; and many nieces and nephews. Bert will join his parents and parent-in-laws, Joe and Susie Blotsky, along with his brothers, Ambrose, Lenus, and Ray; his sister, Claudina; his sister-in-law, Edna Ternes; and his brothers-in-law, John Gustin, Dan Gustin, Leonard Beggar, John Tischmak, and Ed Bachmeier, in heaven. It is said that a measure of success is to die with no regrets. If that is true, then he was the most successful of men. Please refrain from sending flowers and plants.

Engelbert "Bert" Ternes

February 27, 1929 - February 11, 2010