Donald L. ‘Stubby’ Bertilson, 94, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, at Our House Assisted Living in Austin.

He was born Sept. 9, 1920, in Austin, Minnesota, to Alfred and Minnie (Allen) Bertilson. Don grew up in Austin, graduating from Austin High School in 1938. He started working at Hormel Foods on July 11, 1939, as a member of the Extra Gang, working in this capacity until World War II, at which time he was granted a military leave of absence. He served his country in the United States Army from July 1942 until Dec. 1945, as a member of the 909th Signal Corps and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Upon his discharge, he returned to work at Hormel and joined the Machine Shop working as an expert welding repairman. Beginning in 1978, Don served the company as a member of the Mechanical Division Storeroom in the Austin facility. In 1982, Don was named the senior worker of the month for Hormel Foods. His marriage to Eldora I. Goodwin took place on June 7, 1947, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. The couple raised three children. Eldora passed away in 2007. Don’s other activities included watching the Twins and the Vikings, as well as the occasional tennis match. He worked in the blacksmith shop at the Mower County Fairgrounds, and was recognized along with Sy Halsey in Aug. 1999 by fair organizers as fairperson of the year for his dedication to his volunteer work there.

Survivors include a son, Robert Bertilson of Austin, two daughters, Cheryl (Jeb) Blais of Austin and Karen Sneed of Wayzata, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Jeb (Melissa) Blais, Jenny (Shawn) Connors, Jackie Blais, Jesse Blais, Brittany Bertilson, Jamie Ann Bertilson, and Sarah (Alex) Sneed-Miller; many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Minnie Bertilson; his wife, Eldora Bertilson, in 2007; his daughter-in-law, Darla Bertilson, in 2010; and his grandson, Joey, in 1975.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with Todd Portinga, Associate in Ministry, officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Austin, with military rites by American Legion Post 91. Memorials can be directed to recipient of donor’s choice, or to the Bertilson Family in memory of Don. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.