Bernard "Bernie" O. Jorstad

Bernard "Bernie" O. Jorstad, 88, of Chaseburg died Saturday June 26, 2010 at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. He was born February 5, 1922 to Hans and Minnie (Myhre) Jorstad in the town of Campbell, rural Onalaska. He graduated from Onalaska High School in 1940. Bernie farmed his entire life mostly in the Chaseburg area where he had been since 1958. He married Arleth Hoch and they were later divorced. On December 31, 1970, he married Alice (Schlicht) Berra at Waukon, Iowa. They enjoyed traveling to many places including a special trip to Norway in 2002.

Bernie has enjoyed working with horses since his first one at the age of 5. He and his horses were involved with countless parades, weddings, horse shows, bridge dedications and other functions. The annual wagon rides at the farm in October was also a fun time for him and everyone who attended. Bernie knew how to have fun and lived life to the fullest. He was a long time member of the Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church, the Viroqua Eagles Club and a former member of the Moose Lodge in La Crosse.

Survivors include his wife Alice; his children Terry (Joan) of Chaseburg, Arlyn (Linda) and Bonnie (Leon) Borck both of Coon Valley, Jerry (Peggy) of Westby, Linda (Vic) Rufer of Janesville, Robert (Debbie) of Chaseburg and James (Mary) Cade of rural Viroqua; 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; his step children Herb (Lynn) Berra and Bob (Rachel) Berra both of Chaseburg, Marilyn (Dick) Skrede of Stoddard and Joe (Ann) Berra Jr. of Chaseburg; 7 step grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one son Randy Joe; 3 brothers Henry, Engmar and Pete; 2 sisters Christine Larson and Hilma McMinn.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday June 30, 2010 at the Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Larry Westfield will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to the Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church or the charity of donor's choice. In lieu of sending individual thank you's the family will be making a donation to the Friends of Chaseburg. Online condolences at selandsfuneralhome.com