Gary Winn Bertram

Pratt-Gary Winn Bertram, entered heaven December 1, 2016 from the Pratt Care and Rehabilitation Center, Pratt, Kansas. He was born on his father’s 25th birthday, April 18, 1939 in Wichita, Kansas to Della May (Haley) and Galen Arthur Bertram. He spent his formative years on his grandparents farm and traveling with his father’s band and orchestra. Gary learned to read at age three to fill the time and his lifelong love of books and the Word began. He attended grade school and high school at Greensburg. At age nine Gary helped farm the land by driving a tractor and fueling planes at the airport. At sixteen, when most teenagers were driving their first cars, Gary was completing his solo flights under his father’s instruction and later completed dual, multiple engine, commercial and ground instructors rating. After graduation Gary attended Kansas University majoring in Political Science. In 1960 Gary left school to join the military and was stationed for four years in France. His return to the states brought him to Pawnee County, Kansas, selling securities, where he met and married Sueanne Bennett on November 5, 1966.They returned to Wichita where Gary attended Wichita State, completing college courses. Gary applied and was accepted to fly for the United States Border Patrol but declined due to the birth of his son Noel Bertram, born December 25, 1972. Gary became partners with his father and brother Philip operating the farm and their aerial spraying business in Greensburg, Kansas. The May 4, 2007 tornado brought to Gary a desire to retire and re-locate to Pratt, Kansas. Gary will be remembered for his love of literature and music, his work in the Masonic Society and his talent as a bird whisperer. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Gary is survived by his wife Sueanne Bertram, Pratt, son Noel Philip Bertram, Wichita, two aunts Sally Bowden and Dorthea Haley, both of Emporia, Kansas, a brother in law Richard L. Bennett and wife Beverly, Canyon, Texas, a sister-in-law Joanne Lesher, Pratt, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Gary was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Greensburg, VFW, American Legion, NRA, The American Air Museum in Britain, Grand Lodge Kiowa Masonic Lodge #293, Greensburg, Midian Shriners and Scottish Rite, Wichita Consistory, a 33 degree mason, the Royal Order of Scotland and York Rite bodies of Kansas. Funeral service and celebration of Gary’s life will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 5, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, Greensburg with Pastor Terry Mayhew presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Greensburg.