Memorial

Joseph Graham Bertroche, Sr., 82, of Hiawatha, passed away July 4, 2016 at the Hiawatha Care Center. 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 10:30am at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 at the chapel.  Private family burial to follow the service at the Calvary Cemetery in Ottumwa, Ia.

Joe was born on May 8, 1934 to Joe W. and Marguerite (Graham) Bertroche in Ottumwa, Iowa.  He married Dixie Lee Martz on June 9, 1955 in Ottumwa, Iowa.  They later divorced.   He proudly served in the United States Army during which he was stationed in France and Germany.  He also served in the National Guard retiring as a captain.  While serving in Poitiers, France, he was instrumental in establishing the American Forces Network for the region.  

Joe graduated from the University of Iowa and the Drake University Law School.  He practiced law in Des Moines for 47 years before his retirement due to health reasons in 2000.  During his career, he served on the Iowa Commission On The Status of Women, was appointed by President Reagan to the National Advisory Council for Delinquency Prevention and a representative of the NAC to the Federal Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.  He was a long-time member of the Polk County, Warren County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Iowa Trial Lawyers Association; Trial Lawyers of Iowa; and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

He is survived by his three sons, Joseph, Jr., (Sharon), Michael (Teri), and Patrick (Amy) Bertroche, eight grandchildren: Heather (David), Lindsay (Aaron), Amanda (Nate), Ryan (Marina), Patrick, Jr., Tyler (Joy), Adam and Eric; three great-grandchildren: Kade, Charlotte and Kai; and Dixie Lee Bertroche.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

The greatest joy in Joe’s life was his family and especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  In particular, he loved to attend his grandsons’ Kennedy High School football and soccer games.

Joe lived in the Hiawatha Care Center for the last six years.  He loved watching “Maury” every day and playing bingo every Friday afternoon with his eldest son, Joe Jr.  While Joe was always on “double-secret probation” at the care center, he loved his time there and the many friendships he developed.  In particular, Joe loved the nurses, the care providers and the dedicated workers of Hiawatha Care Center.

The family would like to especially thank Dr. Mary Anne Nelson and everyone at the Hiawatha Care Center for their loving care and kindness given to Joe over the last six years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the American Legion.