Bert Elis

Bertrand Jacob Elis, 86, passed away on Wednesday June 14, 2023, with his loving wife, Irene Elis, at his side.

Bert, also known as ‘Doc’ or ‘Wild Man Senior’ by some of his close friends, was born in New England, North Dakota to Sebastian and RoseMary Elis on August 29, 1936. He was the first of four children and grew up on a farm in Richardton, North Dakota. He spent his childhood working on the farm and often spoke of the number of cows he milked each morning before school, which was somewhere between four and forty depending on who was corroborating the story.

He attended Assumption Abbey Catholic School, also in Richardton. Upon graduation Bert enlisted in the Air Force and served from 1956 to 1960. Bert often spoke with fondness of the time he spent in Japan as part of his service. His final deployment was at Rushmore AFB in Rapid City, South Dakota. It was in Rapid City where he met Irene Margaret Kick, whom he married in 1961. Soon thereafter, they were blessed with three children, Teresa, Steven, and Rosanne.

Bert and Irene moved to Arlington, TX as part of a job transfer in 1962. After working in the rapidly evolving early computer industry for many years, he changed his career and began an HVAC business when the family moved to Hubbard in the late 70’s. He was known throughout the Hubbard area as the ‘really nice man who fixed my air conditioner’.

As a result of growing up on a farm, Bert loved to raise farm animals, work on machines of any sort, and socialize with friends around a pot of coffee. Many times, these activities came together as Bert, family, friends, chickens, dogs, and cats would hang out in his well-equipped shops while pulling the motor out of a car and joking around with a drink in hand. Every engine, transmission, car, truck, ATV, implement, or tractor brought into the shop for repair presented a unique challenge that required creative solutions, big hammers, welders, ‘cheater bars’, and occasionally salty language to resolve – but the final product always worked. Bert and friends also built trailers and untold numbers of unique products in the shop over the years. And on special occasions, the shop was a gathering place for neighborhood fish fries or socials.

When Bert began to develop signs of Alzheimer’s, he and Irene moved back to Arlington for his care. In their retirement home, he was called “Smiley” by staff. Even then he still had the urge to fix things. He once tried to repair an occupied wheelchair, which he dissembled to the point of near collapse before the staff realized his endeavors.

His life can be described as one of great faith in serving God, family, friends and acquaintances with love and respect and with joyful spirit. Life’s challenges were often present in different forms, but he carried his crosses behind our Lord valiantly and with positivity. He was a man who was so very much loved for his simple beauty and loyalty to others.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents and sister Luella Forster.

He is survived by his brother Joe Elis and wife Dawn, his sister Geraldine Rummel, his wife Irene, his three children and their spouses, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Visitation and Rosary: 4:30 pm Rosary with Visitation from 5-7 pm Tuesday, June 20, at Wade Funeral Home, 201 W. 3rd Street, Hubbard. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 am Wednesday, June 21, at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 219 Magnolia St., Penelope. Interment: Saint Joseph Cemetery, Penelope. Reception: 11:30 am at church after cemetery.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.