Opal
Opal Maxine Bertsch
d. May 29, 2014
December 20, 1920 ~ May 29, 2014
VISITATION DETAILS
Sunday, June 1, 2014
2:00-9:00 PM
Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home
Harlan, IA
The family will be present to greet friends from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Funeral Home.
SERVICE DETAILS
Monday, June 2, 2014
11:00 AM
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Harlan, IA
Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA
SURVIVORS
3 Sons – Bob (Jan) Bertsch of Willis, MI
Tom (Lois) Bertsch of Columbus, NE
Dan (Irene) Bertsch of Indianola, IA
1 Brother – Dale Blaine of Des Moines, IA
8 Grandchildren
5 Great-grandchildren
Other Relatives & Friends
Opal Maxine Bertsch, daughter of Cary Alden and Violet May (Landon) Blaine, was born on December 20, 1920, in Harlan, Iowa. She attended Harlan schools and graduated from Harlan High School in 1939. On October 29, 1942, Opal married Robert “Bob” Frederick Bertsch in Vancouver, Washington. Following Bob’s World War II military service and discharge, the couple moved to Harlan. In 1959, Opal began working at Noble Photography where she was active in managing the office; she retired from this position in January 1989.
Opal was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, where she had taught Sunday School and was involved with the Immanuel Lutheran Church Women’s activities. Opal and Bob were both active volunteers with the Shelby County Historical Society. She enjoyed family gatherings, where her good cooking and baking were appreciated. Opal, whose favorite color was purple, was honored to be named the 1994 Harlan Mother of the Year. She also liked camping, traveling, and card playing.
Opal M. Bertsch died on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at the Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, having reached the age of 93 years, 5 months, and 9 days.
Opal was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Frederick Bertsch, on December 30, 2012; three brothers, Jasper Blaine, Donald Blaine, and John Blaine; and one sister, Lena Rivers. She is survived by three sons, Bob (Jan) Bertsch of Willis, Michigan, Tom (Lois) Bertsch of Columbus, Nebraska, and Dan (Irene) Bertsch of Indianola, Iowa; one brother, Dale Blaine of Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
The funeral service was held on Monday, June 2, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Janet Miller officiating. Marge Ahrenholtz served as the organist, and Sherry Lytle was the soloist. Casket bearers were Brian Bertsch, Keith Svare, Michael Bertsch, Michael Wahl, Matthew Bertsch, Bradley Bertsch, and Thomas Noble. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Myrtue Medical Center, and Elm Crest Retirement Community, all located in Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.
VISITATION DETAILS
Sunday, June 1, 2014
2:00-9:00 PM
Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home
Harlan, IA
The family will be present to greet friends from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Funeral Home.
SERVICE DETAILS
Monday, June 2, 2014
11:00 AM
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Harlan, IA
Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA
SURVIVORS
3 Sons – Bob (Jan) Bertsch of Willis, MI
Tom (Lois) Bertsch of Columbus, NE
Dan (Irene) Bertsch of Indianola, IA
1 Brother – Dale Blaine of Des Moines, IA
8 Grandchildren
5 Great-grandchildren
Other Relatives & Friends
Opal Maxine Bertsch, daughter of Cary Alden and Violet May (Landon) Blaine, was born on December 20, 1920, in Harlan, Iowa. She attended Harlan schools and graduated from Harlan High School in 1939. On October 29, 1942, Opal married Robert “Bob” Frederick Bertsch in Vancouver, Washington. Following Bob’s World War II military service and discharge, the couple moved to Harlan. In 1959, Opal began working at Noble Photography where she was active in managing the office; she retired from this position in January 1989.
Opal was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, where she had taught Sunday School and was involved with the Immanuel Lutheran Church Women’s activities. Opal and Bob were both active volunteers with the Shelby County Historical Society. She enjoyed family gatherings, where her good cooking and baking were appreciated. Opal, whose favorite color was purple, was honored to be named the 1994 Harlan Mother of the Year. She also liked camping, traveling, and card playing.
Opal M. Bertsch died on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at the Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, having reached the age of 93 years, 5 months, and 9 days.
Opal was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Frederick Bertsch, on December 30, 2012; three brothers, Jasper Blaine, Donald Blaine, and John Blaine; and one sister, Lena Rivers. She is survived by three sons, Bob (Jan) Bertsch of Willis, Michigan, Tom (Lois) Bertsch of Columbus, Nebraska, and Dan (Irene) Bertsch of Indianola, Iowa; one brother, Dale Blaine of Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
The funeral service was held on Monday, June 2, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Janet Miller officiating. Marge Ahrenholtz served as the organist, and Sherry Lytle was the soloist. Casket bearers were Brian Bertsch, Keith Svare, Michael Bertsch, Michael Wahl, Matthew Bertsch, Bradley Bertsch, and Thomas Noble. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Myrtue Medical Center, and Elm Crest Retirement Community, all located in Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.
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