Bertha Ida Geigle was born August 1, 1912 in Freeman, South Dakota, the daughter of Jacob and Dorothea (Hein) Geigle. She was later baptized in the Lutheran Church at Freeman.

As a young girl, Bertha moved with her parents back to their homestead sixteen miles north of Quinn. She grew up on the homestead and received her elementary education at the Rainy Creek rural school.

In 1926 she was confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Creighton.

Bertha was united in marriage to John Denke on December 14, 1939, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Quinn, South Dakota.

After their marriage, they moved onto their own farm-ranch near Creighton where they resided until health reasons forced them to moved into Wall in 1994.

In 1997, Bertha moved into the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood.

Her husband, John preceded her in death on June 26, 1997.

Bertha was a former member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Quinn, and a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Creighton.

Bertha enjoyed gardening, flowers, crocheting, sewing, and cooking. Many people remember her willingness to cook a meal for anyone at anytime. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters, Laura Olson and her husband, Wesley of Summersville, Missouri, and Marie Naescher and her husband, Michael of Wall; six grandchildren, Dion Alicia, and Kristi Olson, Brian Naescher and his fiancée Briana Smith, and Darin and Gregory Naescher; a brother, Jacob Geigle of Seattle, Washington; two sister-in-laws, Brigitta Geigle and Tillia Denke, both of Wall; and one brother in-law, Emil Denke of New Underwood.

In addition to her husband, John Denke, Bertha was preceded in death by a son, Arnold Denke; her parents; two brothers, Adolph and Otto Geigle; three sisters, Emilie Geigle, Johanna Eisenbraun, and an infant sister, Rose Geigle.

Visitation was held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Creighton, with Vicar Monty Dell officiating.

Interment was in the Wall Cemetery.

A memorial is established.

MINISTER
Vicar Monty Dell

MUSIC
Nan Miller – Organist
Congregational Hymns
"How Great Thou Art"
"I'm But A Stranger Here"
"Let Me Be Thine Forever"

USHERS
Wade Geigle - Norman Geigle

PALLBEARERS
Dion Olson - Brian Naescher
Alicia Olson - Darin Naescher
Kristi Olson - Gregory Naescher

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota