Paul O. Bertram

On Monday, April 20, 2026, Paul Otto Bertram (93) fell peacefully asleep in Jesus at home surrounded by family during a pastoral visit. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Carolyn Joanne (Kitley), his children Mark (Kathy) Bertram, Deanna (Bart) Moenster, Kim/Sue (Steve) Bischoff, John Bertram, and Kathy (Chip) Leffler, 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is sister-in-law Mary Jane (Leo) Cassaday, a host of nephews and nieces, cousins, neighbors and friends. He was preceded in death by grandsons Joshua and Robert Bertram.

Paul was born and raised in St. Louis, MO and was a dedicated Lutheran and lifelong servant of God. He graduated from Holy Cross Lutheran Grade School, Lutheran High School Central and earned a BS in Biology from Luther College, Decorah, IA. He maintained a lasting tight-knit social connection with high school classmates throughout his life.

He served two years in the Army as a cook during the Korean War. His passion for cooking continued throughout his life with many professional restaurant jobs, as well as catering weddings and events for family, friends, and church functions. Paul especially delighted in making pies for everyone.

Following the move of his family to O’Fallon, MO in 1964, Paul has been an member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for 62 years, singing in the choir and serving the congregation in many capacities over the years.

Paul simply loved to sing and joined various choirs over his lifetime. He travelled during college in the Nordic Choir throughout the US, performed the tenor lead in an operetta while in the St. Charles Choral Society, visited Taiwan with the Wentzville Choral Arts Society, sang for nursing homes with the St. Peter’s Choral Society, and toured Europe with Luther College’s Weston Noble Alumni Choir when he was 77 years old.

Being an outdoorsman, Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, gigging, camping or just sitting in a good breeze. Venison, frog legs, turtle soup, fish, squirrel, rabbit, and pheasant brought delight to many a dinner table.

Paul loved the cleverness of wordplay. He loved reciting the contortions of words in Anguish Languish. He enjoyed creating tributes to others in poetry and his poem won a contest to see Victor Borge at the Fox.

In later years, the internet allowed Paul to travel around the world on YouTube and offered him endless hours of movies and entertainment. He was especially skilled at creating his own greeting cards for family and friends.

Paul instilled in his children the Christian value of service to others, appreciation of music, love of the outdoors, and a sense of fun and curiosity for the world around us. Thank you, Dad. We will miss you.