He was born November 16, 1927 to Florence and George Holmberg in Kansas City, Missouri, the youngest of 6 children. He grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Central high School. At 17, Bert joined the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department and attended the fire academy. At the end of World War II Bert was drafted into the U.S. Army. By this time he had met a beautiful girl named Patricia Corrigan. She captured his heart, and he wrote numerous letters to her while serving during the U.S. occupation of Japan. Upon his return he married Pat, the love of his life, August 26, 1948. They spent 52 years together as husband and wife. Being a true fireman, he reapplied to the KCFD and was required to attend the fire academy for the second time.
He liked to tell stories about “hanging off the back” of fire trucks. He’s quoted for saying “Back then if you wore a mask into a fire, you were called a chicken”. Pat always took Susan and Cindy to visit him at the fire stations. In old city stations, he wouldn’t let his daughters slide down the pole because it was “too dangerous.” The girls grew up watching firemen hustle to don their gear, jump on the trucks and zoom out with sirens blaring. He fought many fires and saved numerous lives. He rapidly advanced through the ranks from firefighter to battalion chief and retired in 1977 with 30 years’ service. After retirement, however, Bert became bored and returned to KCFD as a fire inspector and then fire dispatcher. His joke was “I was out there fighting fires and now I tell them where to go.” His final tenure with KCFD was 57 years.
Bert was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. On his days off he always worked part-time jobs to support his family. Bert delivered packages for Merchants’ Delivery, mowed fields, worked at Western Auto, and eventually partnered with Pat selling real estate.
Bert and Pat also enjoyed gambling. They visited Nevada many times and the local Kansas City casinos. His favorites were video poker and slots.
His beloved wife of 52 years, Pat (“Patty”) preceded him in the voyage to heaven in 2001.
Bert/Dad/Grandpa/Great-Grandpa/Uncle Bert will be missed by all: Daughters, Susan Holmberg Meinders (J.R.) and Cindy Holmberg Plante (Jim). We’ll certainly miss the “Bertisms” (funny sayings or quotes) so aptly named by his grandchildren: Patrick Holmberg James (Audrey), Jeffrey Fletcher, Eric Holmberg James (Jaime) and Shari Fletcher. Bert also leaves 4 great-grandchildren: Alexis Bruce, Landon James, Makenna Thompson and Connor James, with various nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 6th, 12:30 p.m., at McGilley State Line Chapel, with burial following in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m., to 12:30 p.m., one hour prior to the service.
The family extends a special thank you to Kansas City Hospice House for their wonderful care of our dearly beloved dad/grandpa/great-grandpa/uncle.
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