Obit: Bersell, Donald H. (1915 – 1979)

Contact: Shari (Volovsek) Hahn
E-mail: Shari@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bersell, Hinebaugh, Grimm, Helgerson, Herkert, Schnitzler, Blomberg, Olstrom, Stream, Erickson, Olson

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald, August 21, 1979

Bersell, Donald H

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Immanuel United Methodist Church for Donald H. Bersell, 64, of 209 Oak Street, former postmaster here. He died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mercy Hospital, Janesville. In Janesville, visiting his son, Gary, his death resulted from an apparent heart attack.

The Reverend Frank R. Hinebaugh will officiate at the services for which music will be provided by Mrs. Albert Grimm, organist and Duane Helgerson, soloist.

Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Marshfield, with military rites by Neillsville American Legion Haugen-Richmond Post 73 of which he was a member.

Pallbearers, all nephews, will be James, Robert, Lawrence, William, and Ruben Herkert and Donald Schnitzler.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday and until 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Rembs-Kundinger Chapel, Marshfield, and Saturday at the church from noon until services. A prayer service will be at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mr. Bersell was born June 3, 1915 at Canby, Minnesota to the Reverend and Mrs. B. Hugo (Hilda Blomberg) Bersell. He received his eduation in St. Paul, Minnesota attending Bethel College there.

He was employed by F. W. Woolworth Company, Marshfield, before his marriage August 1, 1937 to Leone M. Schnitzler in Marshfield.

From 1943-46, he served on active duty with the U.S. Army during World War II, holding the rank of captain. He later served with 808 Tank Battalion of Neillsville with U.S. Army Reserves for more than 20 years.

After the war, he and his wife came to Chili to operate a grocery store. In 1948, he was named postmaster, a position he held until retiring in 1975, She also retired at that time, after 22 years as assistant clerk.

A licensed Realator, he operated Bersell Insurance Agency and Real Estate Service until August 1, 1978. He also ran Chili Auction Service, retiring January 1, 1978.

Besides the American Legion, he was affiliated with Immanuel United Methodist Church, Lions Club and National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and was a member of Chili Fire Department for 25 years.

Besides his wife and son, he survived by six grandchildren, and four sisters, Mrs. Hilding(Eunice) Ostrom of St. Paul, Mrs. Stan (Lorraine) Stream of Tacoma, Washington, Mrs. Donald (Sara Jane) Erickson of Minneapolis, and Mrs. Donald (Lois) Olson of Duluth, Minnesota.