Joel James Bertrand

Joel Bertrand, 79 of Alexandria, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024. Born August 17, 1945 in Knoxville, TN, he was the son of the late Gerald J. Bertrand and Beaulah Whalen Bertrand. He graduated from Waterville High School in Waterville, Kansas. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Being a proud American and wanting to serve his country, Joel joined the U.S. Navy and was commissioned as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade in the Navy Medical Service Corps in 1975. After serving on active duty in the Navy for three years, Joel joined the U.S. Army reserves as a Medical Corps officer where he continued to serve until 2002 and earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Joel was a committed Medical Professional and worked as a pharmacist for his entire career. He practiced in the Navy, retail pharmacy, and in 1990 he was recalled to active duty by the U.S. Army Reserves for the First Gulf War (1991-Desert Storm) and served as the Chief Pharmacist at the Radar Clinic at Ft. Meyer, VA. During this time, he met and married his current wife of 32 years, LCDR (ret) Dana J. Nielsen. Joel permanently moved to Alexandria, Virginia, working as Pharmacist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the military pharmacy in the Pentagon, both as an Army Reservist and a Department of the Army Civilian until he retired. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Catherine Sally VanAuken. Survivors include his wife, Dana J. Nielsen of Alexandria; children, Catherine Jennifer Bertrand Montes and her husband Jimmy, Jr. of Houston, TX, Penny Marie Nakano and Ken of Kansas city, Missouri; grandchildren, Adrienne Nichole Constable Vondal and spouse Michael; from North Dakota, Angela Lynne Constable and partner CJ Thomas from Houston Texas, Allison Bernadette Montes, and Tristan James Orion Montes from Houston, Texas, Kyoko Marie Nakano and Alex Katsumi Nakano from Missouri; great grandchildren, Aubree, Aiden, Aliyah, Kollin, Zachary, Emma, Aaliyah, and Ezariah; brother-in-law, Loren W. (Rusty) Nielsen and wife Becky, sister-in-law, Beth Nielsen-Smith and husband Fred, nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends. Memorial Donations may be made to The American Cancer Society and St Jude’s. Visitation with the family Friday, November 22, 2024 at 12:00 pm with a MEMORIAL SERVICE beginning at 1:00 pm at Jefferson Funeral Chapel.

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Joel James Bertrand

August 17, 1945 - November 7, 2024