Rosalie "Jean" Bertram Endowed Scholarship

The initial funding of this scholarship endowment was by Albert J. Merlino in memory of his sister-in-law, Rosalie “Jean” Bertram.

Rosalie ""Jean"" Bertram
November 12, 1927 – December 21, 2015
Rosalie ""Jean"" Bertram passed on December 21, 2015, at the age of 87.

She was born to Tom and Angelina (Rosa) Bertram in Palisade, CO on November 12, 1927. Her parents, and sisters, Marion Merlino and Blanche Buescher, are deceased. Jean spent her childhood in Palisade, graduating from Palisade High School in 1946 and the attended Barnes School of Commerce in Denver, Colorado. Jean received a scholarship to Colorado Mesa University, graduating in 1948. She returned to Palisade and worked for Biggs-Kurtz Co for five years, and Salt Lake Hardware for six years in Grand Junction.

Jean returned to Denver, and worked for the Colorado Department of Revenue for 27 years as an auditor. She received two certified awards from the State of Colorado by Executive Director John Lipton and Governor Roy Romer in 1990. Upon retirement, she returned to Palisade and lived in the home that she was born in until her death.

Jean enjoyed fly fishing on Grand Mesa. Tying flies was a hobby she enjoyed and made a gift of several of her creations to our late Governor, John Vanderhoof.

Jean is survived by her nephew, Louis Buescher; Louis’s sons, Benjamin Buescher, Brett Buescher, Jon Buescher; many cousins, and her brother-in-law, Albert Merlino.