Dustin James Berttunen

Dustin James (Bert) Berttunen, of Menahga Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on December 30, 2019 at age 37 years, 4 months and 23 days.  Dustin was born to Robin (Sorenson) Hendrickson and Donald Berttunen on August 7, 1982 in Park Rapids MN. Dustin attended elementary and secondary school in Menahga where he played on the football, basketball and golf teams, graduating in 2000.   Following graduation Dustin worked as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for Menahga Concrete Products, Inc.  In 2016 Dustin moved to Chandler Arizona to attend The Golf Academy of America and obtained an Associate of Applied Business in Golf Complex Operations and Management, graduating on December 16. 2017. In 2018 Dustin returned home after realizing he missed family, small town life, sunrises, sunsets and seeing the stars.  After returning to Menahga he was employed by L & B Excavating, Inc. Dustin had a passion for golf, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the fairways.  He treasured his time spent duck and deer hunting with his brother Ryan. Dustin found great joy is his role of uncle and loved spending time with Bryan, Nikki and his nieces and nephew, Avery, Easton and Oaklynn, in Williston ND. Dustin renewed his faith and was baptized as an adult on 8/6/2018 at Eastside Church in Hubbard County. He enjoyed music festivals, loved to dance, bowl, playing video games, reading, searching for shedded deer horn with his companion Kobe and spending time with friends and family.  As a child he always enjoyed hearing his Great Uncle Dicky’s jokes. Dustin’s ready smile, easy going manner and fun loving personality resulted in a host of friends. He treasured his friendships and accepted people with an open heart.   Dustin is survived by parents Robin and Lee Hendrickson, Donald and Colleen Berttunen,  Brother Ryan (Katie Lenzen), Sister Nicole (Bryan Peterson), Nieces Avery Jade and Oaklynn Ashley, and Nephew Easton Allen.  Younger siblings Keylee (Kevin) Sommers, Wade, Timbr, Brock, Bodie, Chance, Tripp, and Rigg. Grandparents Robert Jr. (Bob) and Linda Berttunen, Frederick (Hank) Tate, and Lawrence (Larry) Sorenson. His aunts and uncles, Randy Berttunen, Terry (Cheryl) Berttunen, Charilyn Knosalla, Donny (Tammy) Tate, Kim Tate and their children.  As well as an abundance of Great Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, all who loved him and chose to be Dustin’s friends  Dustin was preceded in death by Maternal Grandmother Sharon (Karjala) Tate, Maternal Great Grandparents Levi M Karjala and Evelyn (Paulson) Juntunen, Ralph and Eleanor Sorenson.  Paternal Great Grandparents Robert & Edna Berttunen, Oliver and Margaret Uttermark, and his Cousin Taner Berttunen.   “Fore” ever in our hearts DJB! Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Friday, January 10, 2020 at the Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Sebeka United Methodist Church in Sebeka, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Alajoki Cemetery in Wadena Country, MN