Anthony Berktold obituary

Anthony (Tony) Gerard Berktold passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at St. Marys Hospital on November 3, 2026 at the age of 69. He was born on February 6, 1957, in Lake City, Minnesota, to Margaret Costello and Engelbert Berktold as the eighth of nine children.
Tony attended St. Mary’s parochial school and later Lincoln High, where he met Diane Thomforde at the age of 15 in math class. After being united in marriage on January 30, 1976, they created a life and family they were proud of on a farm in rural Lake City. They had three children: Heather (Rodney) Banks, Matthew (Jolie) Berktold, and Sara (Jason) Bonde, all of Lake City. Tony loved his family fiercely and unconditionally; the greatest joy of his life was his grandkids. When he spoke, his children and grandchildren listened, even when he said no one did. Not only did they listen, but they watched how he treated people, which is evident in the hard working and productive lives they lead in Lake City and beyond.
His other passion was farming, where he could spend hours in the tractor in peace. He began farming with his son and taught Matthew many lessons on both the farm and business. Together, they were able to grow the farm through hard work, determination, and kindness towards others. In recent years, Tony was able to work alongside his grandsons, who loved their time in the tractor or combine with “Papa,” where his patience was unmatched. Oftentimes, there were lunch boxes full of snacks.
Tony also enjoyed traveling by train to see his brothers and sister on the west coast. He could sit and watch the countryside pass him for hours. Traditions with his family were some of the moments he treasured the most. He enjoyed playing his player piano at family gatherings or with an audience after a holiday and was able to take in many of his grandchildren’s activities over the last few years. Tony will be remembered by his children as a wonderful father who taught them lessons of kindness, hard work, and treating others how you want to be treated. He was loyal, generous, proud of his Irish heritage, had a great sense of humor, and never missed a call at any time of the day.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Harvey and Phyllis Thomforde; two infant siblings; his sister, Peg Phalen; brother-in-law, Ambrose Phalen; sister-in-law, Brenda Berktold; and niece, Shawn Berktold.
He is survived by his wife, Diane, of 50 years; their three children, Heather, Matthew, and Sara; his sisters, MaryAnn (Gary) Hibbard of Milltown, Wisconsin, Patricia Berktold of Chanhassen, Minnesota, and Marie (Don) Sprout of Wildwood, Florida; brothers, Theodore of Eugene, Oregon, Joseph (Dawn) of Lake City, Minnesota, Bert of Tucson, Arizona, and Bernard (Donna) of Lake City, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren, Riley, Jack, Ellis, Shelby, Myles, Garrison, Charlotte, Faith, Nora, and Alexandra; and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 11 a.m., at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake City with Father Thé Hoang presiding. Visitation will be held Friday, November 6, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel and one hour before the service at the church. The service will be livestreamed at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.