December 12, 1935 - May 23, 2025
Sylvester Mathias Berte, 89, passed away on May 23, 2025 at Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. Sylvester was born on December 12, 1935 in Bode, Iowa to Joseph and Isabelle (Kellner) Berte. Sylvester was united in marriage to Karen (Thilges) on January 26, 1966 in West Bend, Iowa. After marriage, they settled on a farm in LuVerne, Iowa and raised their six children. Sylvester loved farming and did so for over 60 years. When he wasn’t farming, you could find him sitting outside under a shade tree, having coffee at the elevator, making his famous “Berte sausage” for friends and family, collecting toy tractors, fishing and attending bowling league. He was also a proud member of the United States Army. He loved sharing stories about his time stationed in Germany, especially serving alongside Elvis Presley. He will be remembered as a humble man who found happiness in the simple things.
Sylvester is survived by his wife of 59 years, Karen Berte and children: Sharon Lyddon (Colin) of Grimes, IA, Diann Williamson (Michael) of Adel, IA, Kay McElroy (Daniel) of West Des Moines, IA, Lisa Rosenmeyer (Troy) of Dallas Center, IA, Doug Berte (Darcy) of Humboldt, IA and Ashley Neuweg (Dylan) of Urbandale, IA. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Sydney and Tristen Lyddon; Seth and Cole Williamson; Harrison and Quinci McElroy; August and Carter Rosenmeyer; Carson, Macy and Shayla Berte; and Gwendolyn, Bensen and Merrick Neuweg.
He is survived by his siblings Cecelia Birkett, Joseph Berte, Lorine Albrecht, Helen Kuker, Don Berte, Mathias Berte, and Monica Vaske; in addition to, many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Isabelle Berte and his brother, Gerald Berte.
A visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Humboldt, IA on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 10:30 am followed by a luncheon and burial at Saint Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in memory of Sylvester Berte.