Darla Mae Bertilson - Austin

AUSTIN — Darla Mae Bertilson, age 58 of Austin, died at Austin Medical Center Tuesday morning, Feb. 23, 2010, after a long battle with breast cancer.

She was born Jan. 27, 1952, to Chester and Beryl (Arens) Iverson in Austin, where she grew up and graduated from Austin High School in 1970. She married Robert D. Bertilson on May 1, 1971. Before their children were born, Darla loved and helped raise the Blais nieces and nephews, Jebbie, Joey, Jennifer, Jackie and Jesse. She was very special to them.

She was employed by King Optical, Baldy’s Bank, Security Bank and Austin Utilities. She enjoyed the friendships she made at Austin Utilities. A member of Fellowship United Methodist Church, more recently, she attended St. Olaf Lutheran Church. She loved spending time with Jamie, watching Brittany play golf and golfing with her friends. She also enjoyed crafts, sewing and watching the Minnesota Twins with Gramps. She loved her dogs, Tammy, Tony, Lily and Lucy.

She was a loving wife and mother.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Robert Bertilson of Austin; children, Brittany Bertilson of Fort Myers, Fla., and Jamie Bertilson of Austin; brothers, Chester (Sheri) Iverson of Austin and Dennis (Donna) Iverson of Glenville; special father-in-law, Donald "Gramps" Bertilson of Austin; sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Jeb) Blais of Austin and Karen Sneed of Wayzata; cousins, Joanne "Jo-Jo" Kloeckner and Rick Kloeckner of Austin; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; special friends, James and Vickie Schulte of Austin.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, with Pastor Ron Barnett officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

You may express condolences on our website at www.worlein.com.