Dr. Edward John Hertko
November 07, 2020
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Service Details
Dr. Edward John Hertko, 91, passed away at Taylor House on November 7, 2020. A private service will be held on Saturday November 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM. The family invites you to join them via livestream. The link can be found below Dr. Hertko’s obituary at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com. Dr. Hertko’s cremated remains will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill on Merle Hay in Des Moines at a later time.
Born June 1, 1929 to Bertha (Hrivnak) and Martin Hertko. Dr. Hertko received his MD-University of Illinois Chicago, Internship-Cook County Hospital, Chicago and Internal Medicine Residency-Hines VA Hospital, Chicago. He served in the US Navy. He married Victoria Anne White Butler on May 10, 1980. This was a union of great love and joy to the very end. They shared an active membership at St. Mark Lutheran Church, travel, dancing, a love for live entertainment, gourmet dinners at ICI DMACC, and time with friends and family. Ed attributed his long life to joining the YMCA in 1960 and exercising 3-6 times per week for 60 years. He frequently stated that this was the best decision he ever made. Vicki would lovingly remind him she was the second-best decision!
Ed was a man of faith, passion and action. As he would tell all when asked about his interest in diabetes, he believed God called him to Iowa to care for those with the disease that his mother and many relatives experienced. When he moved to Iowa in 1960, few resources were available to those suffering with diabetes. In 1963, with the help of the Iowa Department of Public Health, Dr. Hertko started the first diabetes support groups in Iowa which, subsequently became the Iowa Diabetes Association in 1968. As an affiliated program of the Iowa Diabetes Association, Dr. Hertko created a camp for children with diabetes. The first four camp sessions were held at the 4-H Camp in Madrid, Iowa. It was temporarily called Elm Camp. The campers from the first session voted to officially name the camp "Camp Hertko Hollow" in honor of Dr. Hertko, founder of the camp. In 1972, Camp Hertko Hollow moved to the YMCA Camp in Boone, Iowa where it has been held ever since. In 2003 Camp Hertko Hollow separated from The American Diabetes Association and began operating as an independent nonprofit organization. In 1981, he and Iowa Methodist Medical Center opened the first outpatient education center (CIDEC) in Iowa. Ed was instrumental in getting an Iowa law passed to require insurance companies to offer outpatient education in policies. He will be forever remembered by thousands of children and adults with diabetes as their champion providing them with hope and the tools to live healthy productive lives.
Dr Hertko is remembered by many as a large man with a big voice that could be intimidating at first. Once you had the chance to know him you found the voice came with a big heart. He grew up poor in Chicago and Joliet, Illinois. He never forgot what it was like to be poor and he and his wife Vicki have generously supported many organizations that improve the life of individuals and support the quality of life of our community. He was a man of great faith who worked to live the life of love and care to which he was called by his Christian faith. He took great pride in being a bible scholar and loved to teach Bible studies. He was active in many professional and civic organizations. His earthly accolades are too numerous to mention.
Dr. Hertko is survived by his wife, Vicki; his sons, Robert and Bradley (Caroline) Hertko; grandson, Craig Edward Hertko, his sister-in-law, Oma Hertko; brothers-in-law, Christopher White (Kim) and Dave Huth; many loving nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Thomas; daughter, Patricia; brother, Martin; and in-laws, Chuck and Barbara White and Shirle Huth.
In lieu of flowers, Dr. Hertko and his family request donations be made to Camp Hertko Hollow or St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Livestream link to the service: link text
Stacy Garrett
02/07/2021
Dr. Hertko was the best Specialist in Diabetes. I had gestational Diabetes 30 years ago and I needed his stern guidance. He wrote on the bulletin board and talked so fast when he calculated my blood sugar results. The diabetes has come back and I am on 2 meds and dont want to do shots so i am exercising and eating a green diet using Vitamix. oh, I wish he was back helping me. Prayers to all his family. I am so glad i found this on Facebook.
Julie & Chip Lowe, AlexLowe & Natalie Simon
11/25/2020
Vicki and family,
Our hearts ache for you. What a gigantic void Ed's passing leaves. All four of us hold Ed in high esteem. He was a force of nature. His lively mind, winning personality, amazing energy, great sense of humor, booming voice and genuine warmth all mixed together with accomplishment to make a most unique human being and dear friend to our family over the years. We'll always remember
him. And Vicki, we always have felt that you are fully Ed's equal.
God bless you.
Andrea Witt
11/22/2020
Dr. Hertko had the clearest vision of what could be accomplished for those struggling with diabetes. He taught me this vision over the years through his education and respect for diabetes educators and I only wish I could have made even a tenth of his impact.
Matt, Laura, Alli, & Jenna Henry
11/22/2020
Vicki we are thinking of you and your family. Ed was such an inspiration to so many. Our camper (Jenna) will forever remember his big voice and positive spirit.
Susan Leatherman
11/21/2020
Vicki, thinking of you, yours and Ed's family as you are saying goodbye. Ed's life accomplishmentsspeak so well of the man he was. His impact especially for diabetic children is his legacy for all. oh to have such an impact on the world in our own lives. you can all be so proud. so sorry for the gap and love loss he leaves in your lives. May God bring his comfort to each of you.
Connie Keller
11/20/2020
I was sorry to hear this, Vicki. Thinking of you at his hard time.
Jeff and Staci Kramer
11/20/2020
Vicki and family,
We were very sorry to hear of Dr Hertko's passing. His tremendous positive impact on so many lives is evident. He certainly had an influence on our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you .
Curtis Hoegh
11/19/2020
Vicki, very sorry to hear of the loss of Dr Hertco. He was a very special person to so many. His legacy will certainly live on though. He was a true gift to so many Curt Hoegh
Kathie Hockenberry
11/19/2020
Dr. Hertko for many years would greet the parents and children on the first day of camp on a Sunday afternoon usually sweltering in the mid-June temperatures. He usually said, You bring them to me alive and I will send them home alive. You had to be there to understand the funny part of this. What he didnt ever say was what those children really came home with. They came home knowing they could do anything anyone else could as long as they monitored themselves. They realized they were not alone. They learned how to give themselves 3 shots and 4 finger pricks per day, in the right spot, with no bubbles in the syringe. They learned how to count carbohydrates better than any Keto diet person can now. They learned to be more independent. They learned to recognize other kids in distress about sugar levels and do what needed to be done better than most adults. My first encounter with camp Hertko Hollow was when my daughter, Karyn, was 8 years old. That was the age then for first time campers. We drove over 3 hours away from home and had to leave her with a bunch of strangers. We were not allowed to call her the entire week. When we left camp that day without Karyn I cried for 3 straight hours home wondering what in the heck did I just do. I never got a phone call during the week telling me anything was wrong. I couldnt get back there fast enough after a week. At the first sight of Karyn she came running up to us and was the happiest little girl in the world. She just loved it! And she was alive! Bonus! She has made life-long friends from that year and others. She went every year till she was 18 when you couldnt go anymore. She skipped a few years after high school but has been back now for years as a counselor. Every summer. Looking after the little kids as she was looked after when she was 8. Thank you Dr. Hertko for your wise and futuristic thinking 52 years ago. It made a difference in our lives.
Rick and Eileen Gloor
11/19/2020
Ed was a valued friend and colleague who served as an inspiration and role model to many. He will be missed but long remembered. Our condolences to the family.
Frank and Pat Sarcone
11/19/2020
Vickie, thinking of you, at this time of loss. We know he will be missed by many and especially you. Sending comforting thoughts your way!
ChyAnn Stroh
11/18/2020
I was so sad to hear about you passing on. My condolences are with you, your family & your loved ones. May you rest in peace. I am VERY thankful for the many years of camp experience and memories you have given me. My camper years from 2009-2014. You will be missed dearly by generations & generations of campers & staff that you've included in your camp. Your camp gave me the best experience I've ever had.
Sincerely ChyAnn Stroh
Goldie Benz
11/18/2020
My condolences to Vicki and family. Ed was truly a trend-setter in the management of diabetes. I have many memories of our diabetes education center as well as traveling around the state and teaching about diabetes- Ed truly enjoyed the opportunity to share how best to care for diabetes. He is well-remembered for his pioneering work in helping so many with diabetes live productive and healthy lives due to his never-ending pursuits from lobbying for insurance coverage for education, intensive therapies, and making life more attainable through Camp Hertko Hollow. He was a great advocate, Vicki, and his works will continue to be seen for years to come. I was fortunate to be able to work so closely with him and call him a colleague and friend.
Rev. Daniel Harders
11/17/2020
At this time of great loss, I pray that God will provide comfort to the family and friends of Dr. Hertko.
I attended Camp Hertko Hollow several years as a child and on the staff as an adult. The camp that Dr. Hertko created has provided so many with knowledge about Diabetes, countless friends, and many memories.
On the Last Day Dr. Hertko will rise from the dead and hear the proclamation, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.
Jeanette Knudsen
11/17/2020
Our daughter attended diabetic camp in 1970 when she was eight years old. I was there as a nurse to help with the camp. It was a great experience and so helpful. She gave her own injection for the first time at camp. Dr Hertko was so dedicated to work for the children with diabetes and especially establishing Camp Hertko Hollow. I saw Vicki often at INA meetings. Our sympathy and prayers to the family.