Bertha Ellen (Alexander) Smith (1973)

ALEXANDER, KING, MCDONALD, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 12/6/2008 at 11:44:27

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, May 24, 1973

Obituary

Bertha Ellen Alexander, second child of Daniel and Serilda Anderson Alexander, was born on a farm near Unionville, Missouri on December 8, 1892. After a long illness she passed away at Villa West Care Center in Winterset, Iowa, on May 19, 1973. She was 80 years, 5 months and 11 days of age.

On March 20, 1893, when Bertha was only 3 months and 12 days old, her mother passed away. Her grandmother Ellen McDonald took her into her home and raised her to womanhood. In 1913 she came with her father and brother, Noah to Ottumwa, Iowa to visit an aunt. Here she found employment and lived in and around Ottumwa until the fall of 1918. At that time she moved to Des Moines, Iowa to be near her brother John who was in the army and was stationed at Camp Dodge.

She met and married Raymond Smith of Earlham on February 21, 1938. They lived on a farm near Earlham and spent 26 happy years together. On June 4, 1964 Raymond passed away. She was also preceded in death by her father and mother; by one brother, and a great grandson.

Bertha was a member of the Earlham United Methodist Church. She was a 50 year member of the Rebekah Lodge, and was a member of the Three Link Club.

She leaves to mourn her passing her sons Willard and Dale Smith of Earlham; her daughter Mabel King of Cumming, Iowa; one brother, Noah Alexander of Detroit, Michigan; 5 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; a nephew, Donald Alexander; two grandnephews; other relatives and friends.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, May 22, at the United Methodist church in Earlham. Rev. Ward Young and the Earlham Rebekah Lodge conducted the service. Appropriate music was provided by Gretchen Brittain at the organ. Casket bearers were Larry Egemo, Wilbur Frederick, Jim Smith, Lloyd Smith, Paul R. Bartlett and Pat Cline with interment in the Penn Center cemetery near Earlham. Evans Service made the arrangements.

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