KALKE, Bertha Etta 1908-2009

KALKE, STROCHEIN, ALBERS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/17/2009 at 23:09:48

NORA SPRINGS, IOWA - Bertha Etta Kalke, 101, of Nora Springs passed away Tuesday (June 16, 2009) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will he held 10:30 a.m., today, Thursday, June 18, at St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St. S.E. in Mason City, with pastors Paul Nelson and Jeni Bohls officiating. Interment will be at Park Cemetery in Nora Springs.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. James Lutheran Church. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Bertha was born on May 16, 1908, in Swaledale, Iowa, the daughter of George and Hannah (Strochein) Albers. She was united in marriage to Henry "Hank" Arthur Kalke in Swaledale in 1930.

Bertha was a housewife and also helped out on the farm, both in the field and milking cows and raising chickens. The couple lived on several farms in the area before buying a farm southeast of Portland, where they lived for most of their life. Bertha moved to Nora Springs in 1989.

She was active in the Happy Hustlers Farm Club and was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Friendly Circle.

Bertha enjoyed gardening and growing flowers. She also loved to cook, her family's favorite being her chocolate cake. She also had an interest in music, learning to play the organ and the guitar. Bertha also enjoyed traveling, a trait that she passed on to her son.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Henry (Marlene) Kalke; grandchildren, Larry (Eli) Kalke, Susie (Dan) Diercks and Roger (Sylvia) Kalke; and great-grandchildren, Brittany Dierks, Trevor Diercks and Jalen Kalke.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hank, in 1982; sister, Sophie Rezabek; and her parents.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, 641-423-8676. www.Fullertonfh.com

[Published in the Globe Gazette - 6/17/2009]