Lyla A. Bertram

Lyla [nee: Keifenheim] Bertram, age 97, died on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Villa Rosa Assisted Living. Born in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin on July 17, 1928, she was the only daughter of John and Katie [nee: Salchert] Keifenheim. Her parents and six brothers [Franklin, Ralph, Gordon, Howard, David, and Art] and daughter-in-law Amy preceded her in death. On October 23, 1948, she married Edwin Bertram and enjoyed nearly 66 years of marriage before he died in 2014. They had four children: Thomas [wife, Mary], Michael [a priest of the Capuchin Order], Janice [husband, Dennis] Stenz, and Patrick [wife, Erin Doyle]. The family grew to include 8 grandchildren: Sara [friend, Josh Wilson], Elizabeth [husband, Jason] Verboomen, Amy [husband, Josh] Grube, Steven [wife, Andrea] Stenz, Anthony [wife, Kelly] Stenz, Robert [wife, Sarika] Bertram, Margaret [husband, Reid] Simons, and Joseph [wife Antonia] Bertram. Lyla was a great-grandmother of 18.

Lyla joined her husband in dairy farming near St. Peter, Wisconsin and as an employee at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac. Upon retirement, she was very active in volunteer service to Hospice, St. Vincent de Paul, the Loaves and Fishes Meal Program, Villa Loretto Nursing Home, and Holy Family Catholic Church where she was a member. She loved spending time with her family and friends and loved her Villa family where she spent her last years. For years, Lyla opened her garage for donations of clothing, toys, and toiletries that would go to help the poor in Milwaukee through the Capuchins’ House of Peace.

The family would like to thank the nurses and Sr. Stephen and Sr. Rita at the Villa Rosa for their wonderful care and compassion for our mother. She loved each and every one of you. Thank you to the Hospice nurses, Katie and her team, for your excellent care for Mom to the end.

Because of her devotion to helping the poor, Lyla was adamant that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Milwaukee or Cristo Rey Ranch in Mt. Calvary. “That money could help the poor”, she said. “I don’t need all those flowers.”

Visitation will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Holy Family Church, 271 4th St. Way, Fond du Lac, WI, 54937. Visitation will take place on Monday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of services. Cremation will follow the services.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com