Bertha Jenetta Roos

Bertha Jenetta Roos, the daughter of William and Maggie (DeVries) TerMeer, was born on April 4, 1929, in Orange City, Iowa. She graduated from Inwood (Iowa) High School in 1947. On February 14, 1949, Bertha married Donald Glenn Roos in Inwood. After their marriage, the couple farmed in Iowa and Minnesota. For many years, Bertha was a foster parent and was employed as a school cook in the Johnston, Iowa, public schools. Before moving to Harlan in December, 2001, Bertha and Don lived in Spring Valley and Eyota, Minnesota, Des Moines, Johnston, and Grimes, Iowa, and Bella Vista and Bentonville, Arkansas.

Bertha was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan. She enjoyed reading, painting Don’s woodcrafts, and acquiring collectables.

Bertha J. Roos died on Sunday, October 2, 2005, at her home in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 76 years, 5 months, and 28 days.

Preceding Bertha in death were her parents and one sister, Kathleen TerMeer. Survivors include her husband, Donald Roos of Harlan, Iowa; one daughter, Cathy Johnson of Harlan, Iowa; one son, Timothy (Pam) Roos of Conyers, Georgia; two sisters, Hermina Kooima of Coopersville, Michigan, and Mable (John) VanDenTop of Rock Valley, Iowa; two brothers, Opie C. (Janet) TerMeer of Rialto, California, and Walter TerMeer of Brazil, Indiana; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

A local memorial service was held on Wednesday, October 5, 2005, at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Donna Ewert of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan officiating. Evelyn Bergstrom served as organist, and Donna Ewert was the soloist. An additional memorial service was held on Friday, October 7, 2005, at the Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley, Iowa. Burial was in the Richland Cemetery in Inwood, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.