Obituary of Bertwin Ernest Bast

Bertwin Ernest Bast was born February 17, 1921 in Lake Elmo, MN. His parents were Rev. Paul and Martha (nee Kniephoff) Bast. He was fond of saying his first cradle was a dresser drawer in the parsonage of St. John's Church. He was welcomed into the family by his older sister, Agatha. When Bert was 2 years old the family moved to Minneapolis, MN as Rev. Bast was to start a new congregation in south Minneapolis ~ Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church. Eventually two more boys joined the family, Paul and Richard. Bert was confirmed by his father in 1935, and attended Washburn High School. While serving his country in the Navy during World War II his ship was torpedoed and sank. He survived, with others, on a life raft for five days before being rescued. After being discharged from the Navy he worked for Western Union and actually delivered the telegram about his brother Paul's death to their mother. (Bert's father had died in 1940.) Later he made use of the GI Bill to further his interest in singing. Bert was a talented singer and performed solo at many weddings and funerals. He also sang with several choral groups, including the choir at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul, where he and Esther were members for many years. Bert and Esther liked to travel, and they enjoyed many trips to Europe and around the United States (including visits back to the Little Brown Church in Iowa where they were married in 1959.) He retired, after 35 years of meter reading and collection work for Minnegasco, in 1982. Because of friend and caregiver Jan, Bert had been able to stay in his home in the Highland area of St. Paul until just late December 2017. For that dedication, his family will be forever grateful. Bert died January 19, 2018 at Lyngblomsten Care Center, St. Paul, MN. Preceded in death by parents, Rev. Paul and Martha Bast; brothers, sister and in-laws: Paul Bast, Richard (Dorothy) Bast, Agatha (Ralph) Ledin; wife, Esther (nee Gunsten) Bast; sons Gary and Karl Bast; daughter-in-law Claudia Bast and grandson Shawn Bast; nephew Paul Gunsten and niece Connie Johnson. Survived by son David (Susan) Bast; grandson Joseph (Zarella) Bast and granddaughter Angelica (Jason) Jordan; great grandchildren Elena and Isabella Bast, Andrew and Joseph Jordan; nephews Mark (Lee) Gunsten, Richard Bast, Michael (Patti) Bast and Martin (Lori) Bast, Paul (Sharon) Ledin and nieces Janet (Steve) Walker, Linda Strom, Susan (Paul) Parrish and Joan (Terry) Gard; several great nieces and nephews, and many friends. A Celebration of Life for Bert Bast will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2018, 11 AM at Pilgrim Lutheran Church [1935 St. Clair Ave] St. Paul, MN with Visitation at 10 AM.