Brad Gertner

Brad Gertner, age 65 of Westbrook, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Sanford Sioux Falls Medical Center.  Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook.  Visitation will be 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Saturday at the church.  Burial is in Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Rose Hill Township. 

Bradley Vernon Gertner was born August 19, 1956 in Windom, Minnesota to Vernon and Dolores (Ewy) Gertner.  Most of his life, he lived on the family farm south of Westbrook.  Growing up, Brad was very active in 4H.  He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook, and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1974.  He then attended Jackson Vo-Tech for auto body/auto mechanics.  On December 8, 1979, Brad was united in marriage to Deb Hatten at First Lutheran Church in Hector, Minnesota.  They were blessed with two sons, Corey and Kyle.  Following the death of his dad in 1982, Brad and Deb purchased the home place and continued to farm.  He raised a herd of Brown Swiss dairy cattle and later added some Jersey dairy cattle. Brad was active in Cottonwood County Dairy Association and DHIA board.  Brad enjoyed going to threshing bees, and bowling in both men’s and couple’s leagues.

Brad is survived by his wife, Deb; sons: Corey of Coleman, WI and Kyle of Westbrook; sisters: Colleen (Ray) Cenfield of Winona, Dineen (Todd) Fischer of Florence, CO, Deanne (Warren) Wheeler of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; brothers: Bruce of Westbrook, and Doug (Lisa) of North Branch; aunts: Judy (Ron) Schreier of Currie, Sharon Gerhard of Mesa, AZ, Delores Ewy of Westbrook; nieces; nephews; and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Dolores, sister, Collette Schwanbeck, parents-in-law, Doris and Fred Hatten, brother-in-law, Grant Hatten, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and his faithful friend, Snookie.