Glenn Warren Bertelson, 85, of Duluth and Ely Minnesota, died on Sunday, April 10, 2022.

Glenn was born in Ortonville, Minnesota. He graduated from high school in Virginia, MN. He loved and played basketball and was known by his teammates and buddies by the nickname “Stretch”.

An Army Veteran, Glenn was stationed in Germany for 3 years during peacetime, after which he completed college and earned his master’s degree. Glenn was employed in Duluth as a social worker for St. Louis County until his retirement in 1996. With his family, Glenn owned and ran a hobby farm, loved camping in the north woods, and went on canoe trips in the BWCAW. His love of wilderness and solitude lead to eventually living on a lake in Ely in his retirement.

Glenn will be remembered for his voice advocating for, and his commitment to preserving the wilderness, nurturing his relationships with people, for his dedication to God, his determination to write his Book, and for passing on to his children and grandchildren reverence for nature.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn W. and Ada Bertelson.

He is survived by daughters, Nanette (Michael) Hillmeyer, and Lise (Eric) Peltier; granddaughters, Claire and Sophie, Holly and Lauren; great grandson, Rylan; brother James (Sherie) Bertelson; his first wife and mother of his daughters, Lynn (James) Freeman; his dear lifelong friends; his friends at the Lake; and his Westwood friends.

Glenn’s family thanks the kind, caring, and compassionate staff at Westwood, Benedictine Health Center, Essentia Health, and Essentia Health Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials preferred to: Listening Point Foundation or Benedictine Living Community.

Memorial Services are pending.