Monday, April 29, 2024
Arnold Louis Bertram, age 78, of Entiat, WA, passed away March 19, 2024, while living at Blue Goose Care Center, Moses Lake, WA. Alzheimer's Disease entered his life, following the removal of a pituitary tumor, in 2014.
Arnold was born June 2, 1945, in Omak, WA, to Nora Jones Bertram and Herman Holden Bertram and spent the majority of his life in the Okanogan area.
With several years of square dancing under his belt and many Do-Si-Dos, he offered " three carrots" from Safeway to the "Taw" of his choice, Chrystal Francis Rogers. Though she had requested 3 carats of diamonds, thinking that would keep her single a long, long time, she was captured, and they were married September 17, 1988, under the sprawling leaves of their backyard walnut tree.
Arnold was very close to his classmates from Brewster High School, but chose to leave school, worked various jobs, and married his first wife, Linda Mae, with whom he had a son and a daughter. He decided it would behoove him to get his GED and he did. He later married Sandra E. Fisher and adopted her two girls. Then, he worked for Damsko Auto in Okanogan, until he moved to East Wenatchee, WA. While living there he worked for Dick's Exhaust. He and Sandy divorced in August of 1985. He became acquainted with Hank Munro through Hank's daughter and worked with Hank for several years building beautiful, expensive homes in the Chelan County area. His learning experiences working with Hank gave him the courage to add on to his own home, creating a beautiful view from which to enjoy the Columbia River/Lake Entiat. When Hank retired, Arnold chose to start a business geared toward helping the elder community be able to afford repairs, new builds, or remodels. He was known as "The Handyman Can". When needed, he was the chief cook at their Adult Family Home in Wenatchee (This Old House). He truly loved the older folks and enjoyed helping them in their last years of life.
And finally, one of the greatest joys of his life was learning to become a professional Santa Claus! After joining the ranks of Santas, he spent several seasons at the East Wenatchee Mall listening to the wishes of the little ones and praying that their families could fulfill some of those wishes. He also devoted time to being Santa at the Entiat school and the children here were so excited to share their wants and wishes with him.
Arnold is survived by his wife, Chrystal; son, A. Lyn Rohde (Tami); daughter, Gina Standerford; granddaughter, Miranda Standerford; cousin and closest friend, Roger (Linda); brothers: Herman (Melba), Ron (JeanLee), Pete (Debra), Jay (Debbie), Neal (Lois); sister, Tony (Johnny); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Herman; mother, Nora; brother, David; sister, Bernadette; and infant son, Chucky.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Precht Rose Chapel, 332 E Woodin, Chelan, WA, on April 13, 2024, at 11 a.m. Please WEAR A HAWAIIAN SHIRT, BLOUSE, MUMU, or such as Arnold loved his vacations at Kona, Hawaii. A No Host (buy your own) luncheon at Blueberry Hills Restaurant in Manson, WA, following this Celebration.
