Obituary: Bertha Muller

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In memory of

Bertha Muller

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at the Golden Living Center of the Black Hills in Rapid City at the age of 95

Bertha (Simpfenderfer) Muller was born Dec. 7, 1912 to Karl and Margaretha Simpfenderfer in Sarata Bessarabia, Russia and came to the USA with her parents, four brothers and one sister. The family ended up in Golden Valley, North Dakota, on March, 15, 1914, where Bertha grew up and received her education, was baptized and confirmed.

In the year of 1934, Bertha and Emil Muller were united in marriage at the Lutheran Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. Together they spent most of their life in Wall where they shared 72 years of wedded bliss. Bertha always felt blessed with a happy marriage and she treasured her close relationship with her children.

Bertha was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Wall. During this time she held several positions with the Ladies Aid and also served the community by delivering meals on wheels. Some of her favorite past time activities included crocheting, gardening, playing cards and enjoyed long visits with her family and friends. Bertha would use the fruits of her labor from her garden and enjoyed passing out her crocheted dish cloths to family and friends..

Grateful for having shared her life include her three daughters, Laura (Theodore) Kjerstad of Quinn, Donna (Dean) Zubke of Rapid City, and Beverly (Hal) Sims of Wichita, Kansas; and 70 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Bertha will always be remembered for her uplifting spirit, contagious smile, loving her family and spending time with friends. Bertha’s most often used phrase during any gathering was, “Is everybody happy?"

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Emil on March 11, 2007, their son Dale, her parents, seven brothers, three sisters and one great granddaughter.

Visitation was held 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, at the Rush Funeral Home in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 16, at the First Lutheran Church in Wall, with Pastor Lowell Boettcher officiating.

Interment will be in the Wall Cemetery.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, October 16, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Lowell Boettcher
MUSIC
Skyler Johnson – Pianist
Mary Kay Wilson – Organist
Vocalists
Cheryl Fitch – Wendy Johnson – Rhonda Sinclair
Anita Sandal – Lisa McIlravy
“Nearer My God To Thee”
“How Great Thou Art”
Congregational Hymn
“I’m But A Stranger Here”
PALLBEARERS
John Olson – Randy Kjerstad
Ted L. Kjerstad – Rick Johnson
Scott Sims – Burjes Fitch
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota
A 73 balloon release will take place at the cemetery representing the 73 living descendants of Bertha.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Funeral Services: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 16, at the First Lutheran Church in Wall.
Interment: Wall Cemetery.

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Thank you Lord, for the loaned time you allowed us to have with Aunt Bertha in our lives. She will be forever in our hearts. Jerry Jarvis ~ Jerry & Doralynne Jarvis 2118 Walnut St. Yankton, SD 57078 (10/12/2008)
With bittersweet thoughts, both in sadness and in celebration, we pray for the family as they reflect on the precious memories of a beautiful lady that has been so very dear to them. ~ Don and Toni Roberts 1505 S. Auburn Hills Ct Wichita, KS 67235 (10/12/2008)
Although I did not know Bertha personally I do know what a wonderful legacy she has left behind in the wonderful family I have been blessed to have in my life. Donna, Denita and family have truly passed on the treasure of family and friends. Both ladies make others happy with their exceptional character, great attitudes and infectious "woo hoo" personalities. They support all of us with loving care and concern. Thank you Bertha for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. ~ The Morman Family Rapid City, SD (10/12/2008)
I want to thank the Lord for letting me know both Bertha and her late husband. I pray that she will rest in peace in a much better place than here on earth. May God be with her and all the rest of her family. ~ DeWayne Kenton 680 Nelson Dr, Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (10/12/2008)
Laura & Family-
Sorry to hear about your mom, just wanted you to know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time. You are in our prayers-
Tiffini & Carlene Prestjohn (cookies daughters) ~ Tiffini & Crlene Prestjohn PO Box 20 Black Hawk, SD 57718 (10/12/2008)
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to a wonderful person, such as Aunt Bertha. She will always remain in our hearts and she will be sorely missed. Growing up as a child, I can't remember a holiday that our two families were together to celebrate, I loved watching dad and Aunt Bertha interact with each other and watching them speak German to each other and wondering what they were saying. Whenever I wanted to run away from home, mom and dad won't worry because they knew where I would go, to Aunt Bertha and Uncle Emil's, those were the good old days. My memories of her go on and on and those are memories that I will alwalys cherish. Even though we are sad in her passing we must stop and member all the joy and laughter she brought into our lives. May she forever sing with the angels. ~ Kathy Simpfenderfer 2115 E. Vinson #5108 Harlingen, TX 78550 (10/12/2008)
Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I will never forget the huge smiles and friendliness of your parents. I always looked forward to seeing them at church when I came back to visit. I'm sure they are smiling again together in heaven. ~ Roger & Marlene (Geigle)Myers Colome, SD (10/12/2008)
Bev and Hal and Family,
We are sorry for your loss. We are so glad that you were able to be there. Heaven was just blessed again.
We are praying for you.
Love,
Deborah, Jim, Matt, Kat and Jaclyn. ~ Deborah, Jim, Mat, Kat & Jaclyn Kuiack 5002 Loch Lorne Court, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 (10/12/2008)
I was very saddened to hear of Aunt Bertha's passing, she was one of my favorite people. I have so many wonderful memories of her and Uncle Emil. I can't remember a holiday when I was younger that we weren't at their house or they were at ours. I loved to listen to Aunt Bertha and dad talk German to each other and wondered what they were saying. I remember the birthdays in the summer when we were all harvesting and for lunch Aunt Bertha and mom would make lunch and take it to the field complete with a birthday cake, those were the days. I am very grateful for all those wonderful memories. She will be sorely missed, but she's in heaven with Uncle Emil and dad. Between Aunt Bertha, Uncle Emil, dad, Bob and Gary they are up there mixing up a batch of homemade sausage and laughing at us because we don't get any. To Donna, Laura and Bev, thank you for sharing you mother with us all. Love, Kathy ~ Kathy Simpfenderfer 2115 E. Vinson #5108 Harlingen, TX 78550 (10/12/2008)
We were sorry to hear of the passing of Bertha. As neighbors in Wall, we remember her and her family with fond memories. Our condolences to the family. ~ Sid and Helen Soma 2109 Catherine Drive Bismarck, ND 58501 (10/12/2008)
Our love and prayers are with the family at this time. Very Sincerely, Susan and Dennis Walsh ~ Denny & Susan Walsh Miami, FL. (10/12/2008)