MCNEER, Bertha (1920-2015)

MCNEER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/29/2017 at 21:37:48

Bertha McNeer
(November 23, 1920 - May 17, 2015)

Bertha McNeer, age 95 passed away peacefully on Sunday May 17, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Care Center. She was born on November 23, 1920 to Ruth and Dan Trunnell of Lucas County, Iowa. After graduating from Norwood High School in 1938, Bertha took classes over the summer to become a teacher. She started her 43 year career the fall of 1938 in a one room school house in Lucas County. Bertha married Lorraine (Nifty) McNeer on August 31, 1939 in Princeton, Missouri. This would be their only trip out of the state. They then settled in Lucas County on their farm. Nifty farmed while Bertha taught spending most of her career teaching kindergarten in Lacona Iowa for the Southeast Warren School District. Her dedication to her students was an inspiration to all teachers. She achieved her Bachelor's degree through Drake University and always joked it took her 25 years to complete the degree. She spent her final years paging through yearbooks and reminiscing about her three generations of former students. Bertha was an active member of the Norwood United Methodist Church of Lucas County. She attended Sunday school faithfully earning twenty perfect attendance pins, displaying them proudly on her bulletin board at the Care Center.
Bertha is survived by her nieces; Pam Wadle (Gene) of Lacona ,Iowa, Loretta Block (Mel Schampers) of Seymour, Wisconsin, and Baja Shannon of Ottumwa, Iowa. Also she is survived by six grandnephews, one grandniece, four great grandnieces, and two great grand-nephews.
Bertha is preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Ruth Trunnell; her husband Lorraine (Nifty) McNeer; sisters, Chloris Cackler and Iola Schreiber; brother-in-laws, Winford Cackler and Neil Schreiber; and nephew, Tom Shannon.
There will be a celebration of Bertha's life at Peterson's Funeral Home in Indianola, Iowa on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 beginning at 9:30, eulogy service at 10:30 a.m. followed with interment in the Norwood Cemetery.
We would like to thank the caring staff at Good Samaritan Care Center for their dedicated efforts and support. Bertha enjoyed her stay at Good Samaritan and looked forward to the numerous activities provided by the staff and volunteers. This memorial is provided by Peterson Funeral Services, 415 School St., Carlisle, Iowa, www.petersonfuneralservices.com