Bertha Letcher 1919-2007
My earliest memories of grandma Bertha revolve around Christmas. I think of her in the kitchen making diner or baking treats, while my cousins and I played in the the living. It was a long drive to Wishek so there was a lot of anticipation when we got there. Grandma Bertha seemed as excited to see us as we were to see her.
In the summer my sister and I would be split up and sent to alternating grandparents. Grandma Bertha would always try to find activities for me to do, which in Wishek wasn’t always easy. When she and grandpa Arnold moved to Jamestown they lived next to my aunt and my cousins so my memories are mixed together.
By 1983 my sister and I no longer needed to be split apart. Now instead of fighting all the time we start to appreciate each other. In June of 1983 Suzanne moved to New York to attend NYU. So I was feeling oddly cut off during the 4th of July weekend I spent in Jamestown. I was in a deep blue funk. (My journal entry for this weekend was written in the third person!) Then grandma announces they’re taking me out for pizza and celebrating my birthday. By the end of the evening I was no longer upset and my mood had turned around 180 degrees.
Whenever you were in her house she would make sure you were taken care of. Whether you had a headache or were just hungry- she would fix whatever ails you. As my cousin Nathan said, “She didn’t have a mean bone in her body.” I don’t think I ever saw her mad or upset. She was a wonderful woman, a great mother, and even better grandmother.
Slideshow
While she was in the nursing home, grandma Bertha kindly borrowed me her many photo albums. They were a treasure trove of family photos. She may not have been the best photographer but she knew what was important: family and friends. I this is a subset of the 250 photos slide show I ran at Bertha’s funeral reception. If you’re interested in resizing this slideshow or a particular photo visit the Bertha Letcher album at my Picasa Account.
To look at or sign the guest book at the Haut Funeral Home.
The obituary:
Bertha Letcher, 87, Jamestown, ND died Saturday afternoon October 27, 2007 at Hi-Acres Manor in Jamestown, ND.
Bertha Meidinger was born November 29, 1919 at Streeter, ND, the daughter of John Meidinger and Katharina (Just) Meidinger. She attended the local rural school where she received her elementary education and received her GED in later years. She helped on the family farm where she grew to womanhood in the vicinity.
She and Arnold Letcher were married December 13, 1937 at Jamestown, ND. They made their home south of Jamestown where they farmed. They moved to Gackle for a short time before returning to Jamestown where she worked for Trinity Hospital and later for Jamestown Hospital as a Nurses Aid until her retirement. Arnold passed away in 1992. In July of 1999 she entered the Hi-Acres Manor where she has resided. She was a member of St. Paul?s United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her 2 sons, Rodney (Ruby) Letcher, Eugene, OR; Neal (Terri) Letcher, Jamestown, ND; 2 daughters, Charlotte (Ray) Maas, Fargo, ND; Karon (David) Orr, Jamestown, ND; 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Emma Letcher and Lydia Maas, both of Jamestown, ND.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 2 brothers.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday October 31, 2007 in St. Paul?s United Methodist Church in Jamestown, ND with Dr. Gary Ball-Kilbourne, pastor officiating. The interment will be made at the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Jamestown, ND. Visitation: 9-9 Tuesday at the Funeral Home and 1 hour before service on Wednesday at the Church.
