Tuesday, December 19th, 2017
Dorothy Bertke
Dorothy F. Bertke, 77, of New Bremen, died on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 3:30 P.M. at the Briarwood Village, where she had been a resident for nearly eleven years.
She was born on May 17, 1940 in Fort Loramie, the daughter of the late Aloys H. and Marie E. (Bergman) Sommer. On June 17, 1961 she married Urban A. Bertke, and he survives in New Bremen.
Also surviving are her children Dale (Karen) Bertke of Minster, Tim (Mandy) Bertke, Scott (Carla) Bertke, Rodney Bertke, all of New Bremen, and Ann (Randy) Schulze of Maria Stein, thirteen grandchildren, her siblings; Richard Sommer of Sidney, Donald Sommer of Anna, Albert (Marilyn) Sommer of Sidney, Marilyn Heyne of Coldwater, and in-laws Marilyn Sommer of New Bremen, Deacon Omer (Rita) Bertke of Maria Stein, Lewis Bertke of New Bremen, Jovita Osterloh of St. Henry, Stanley (Betty) Bertke of Maria Stein, and Sr. Martha Bertke of Coldwater.
Along with her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brother Aloys "Junior" Sommer, and in-laws; Mary Ann Sommer, Maryann Sommer, Rita Bertke, Othmar Osterloh.
Dorothy was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in New Bremen, where she had been active in the Ladies Sodality. She was an avid supporter of the New Bremen Athletic Boosters for many years. She really enjoyed following New Bremen football and basketball games, and also watched many college and professional games on television.
She and Urban belonged to a card club for over fifty years, and also had a club of high school friends for many years. Dorothy loved to spend time with her family, and will be remembered for her sense of humor, and for her infamous candy basket that she always kept full for those that visited her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in New Bremen with Rev. Fr. Thomas Dorn officiating. Interment will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery of New Bremen.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2017, from 2:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. Friday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. The Rosary will then be prayed at 10:00 A.M.
Memorial contributions in memory of Dorothy can be directed to the National M.S. Society, the Briarwood Activity Fund, or the St. Peter's Neurological Center.
Condolences to the Bertke family can be left online at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.
