William "Bill" Erwin Kerkow

William E. "Bill" Kerkow, age 75 of Belle Plaine, Minnesota died on Wednesday morning, July 10, 2013 at The Lodge at Natchez near Elko. He was born on July 26, 1937 on the family farm in Blakeley Township, Scott County to Erwin and Ludina (Tesch) Kerkow. He was baptized, confirmed and attended school at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Belle Plaine and graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1955. He worked at various locations including Midland Glass in Shakopee and Norwesco in Belle Plaine before working for many years with Lunda Construction as a mechanic in their bridge division. Bill retired in 1999. He married Arlene Bergs in October of 1964 at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. They lived in Savage for a short time before making Belle Plaine their home. Bill was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and very active as an usher and lawn mower. He was a member of the Belle Plaine Sportsman's Club, 49er's Union and enjoyed hunting, fishing, coffee and donuts with friends. He is survived by his daughter, Stacy (Greg) Kerkow-Dohmen of New Prague; Grandchildren, Jacki Kerkow-Dohmen and Christopher Dohmen; Siblings, Yvonne (Earl) Woestehoff of Belle Plaine, Edith Christensen of Brainerd and Helen (Dan) Stern of San Diego, CA; Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vera (Louis) Lieske and Jim (Connie) Bergs of Belle Plaine, Carol Schultz of Edina, Darlene (Bill) Murphy of Shakopee, Pat (Bob) Bergs of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Don Bergs of Eagan, Susie (Alex) Fjelstad of Hopkins and Sandi Bergs-Gilbertson of Hudson, WI and Roy Landela of Prior Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arlene in April of 2011; Brother, Erwin Kerkow, Jr. and his wife, Eileen; Sister, Lois Landela; Aunt, Malinda Schultz and Best friend, Edwin Haas. Memorial Services will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine with Rev. John Meyer officiating. Lunch to follow after service at church. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. Kolden Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.