Gordon "Bert" Bateman

Gordon Donald “Bert” Bateman, 75, of Dresbach, Minn., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.

Bert was born in La Crosse on January 13, 1943, to Donald and Milda (Moldenhauer) Bateman.  He grew up in the Nodine, Minn. area and graduated from Winona Senior High School.  He later graduated from Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse with a degree in electronics.  Bert also enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Signal Corps for three years, both stateside and in Europe, primarily Germany.

On July 31, 1971, Bert was united in marriage to Linda Beneke, and from this union a daughter, Nicole, was born.  Linda preceded Bert in death in 1988.  Bert then married Penelope “Penny” O’Donnell on May 5, 1990, and to this union a son, Peter, was born.

Bert pursued numerous career fields throughout his life.  He first worked construction for several years with his father at Bateman Construction before beginning a job at Norplex.  He went on to work at Continental Can, as an electrical/mechanical repair lead with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lock & Dam No. 7 and as a civilian employee of the Corps working in Iraq, and finally at the State Bank of La Crosse where he operated the historic elevator.  In his free time, Bert enjoyed spending time with his family.  He especially enjoyed going to his son, Peter’s, sporting events throughout high school and college and playing with his grandkids.  He also loved reading and woodworking.

Bert is survived by Penny, his wife of 28 years; his daughter, Nicole (Chad) Kendall, and their daughters, Ellie, Bailey and Brooklyn Kendall; his son, Peter (Danielle) Bateman; sisters, Barbara Peterson and Donna Bateman; several nieces and nephews; father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Patricia O’Donnell; and sister-in-law, Pam O'Donnell.  In addition to his first wife, Linda, he was also preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Milda; and a brother-in-law, Dan O'Donnell.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 22 ^nd , at the La Crescent Evangelical Free Church, 1675 County Hwy. 6, La Crescent.  Pastor Dan Cravillion will officiate.  Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Hiler Cemetery in Nodine.  Family and friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church.