Bertha Andersen

VisitationFriday, November 25, 2008After 9:30 AMElk Horn Lutheran Church, Elk Horn, IowaFuneral Service Friday, November 28, 2008 10:30 AMElk Horn Lutheran Church, Elk Horn, Iowa

Reverend Keith Andrew Menter

Rock of Ages?    How Great Thou Art?

His Eye Is On The Sparrow?

Congregation

The Lords Prayer?    Reverend Menter

Laura Olsen, Accompanist

Dale Hemmingsen     Jeffrey Hemmingsen

Kurt Hemmingsen     Jamie Hemmingsen

Tim Fredericksen     Charles Larsen

Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery

Elk Horn, Iowa

Psalm 23

 (Danish)

HERREN er min Hyrde, mig skal intet fattes, han lader mig ligge p grnne Vange. Til Hvilens Vande leder han mig, han kvger min Sjl, han frer mig ad rette Veje for sit Navns Skyld. Skal jeg end vandre i Ddsskyggens Dal, jeg frygter ej ondt; thi du er med mig, din Kp og din Stav er min Trst. I mine Fjenders Psyn dkker du Bord for mig, du salver mit Hoved med Olie, mit Bger flyder over.

Kun Godhed og Miskundhed flger mig alle mine Dage, og i HERRENs Hus skal jeg bo gennem lange Tider.

   Bertha Cecelia, daughter of Anders Peder and Ane Marie (Christensen) Andersen, was born August 16, 1911, in Oakfield Township, Audubon County, Iowa. She was baptized at Oak Hill Lutheran Church and later confirmed at Elk Horn Lutheran Church.  Bertha attended Clay Township country school and then graduated in 1930 from Elk Horn High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and then taught school in Elk Horn, Kimballton and Walnut. During summer vacations, she taught at the Okoboji Bible School and church conferences. Her travels to Japan and the Scandinavian countries provided many experience for her.  She enjoyed showing her slides to the community and writing about her travels.

   Upon retiring from teaching she was librarian of the Elk Horn Library and became active in bringing the Danish windmill to Elk Horn. Because of her Danish background, she helped establish the Danish Immigrant Museum. Her search for Danish relatives and translation of documents for Danish descendants brought much pleasure to her life. She was a member of the teaching staff for the Elder hostels conducted in Elk Horn for five years.  Over the years she enjoyed writing articles about Danish heritage. Bertha was a lifelong devoted member of Elk Horn Lutheran Church where she served as organist, as well as Sunday School Superintendent. Bertha assisted the chaplaincy of Salem Homes by conducting devotions and serving as organist and soloist for many years. Bertha was also a life time member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. 

   In October of 2004, when Bertha was no longer able to live alone, she became a resident of Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn. She died there early Tuesday, November 25, 2008, at the age of 97 years, 3 months and 9 days. Preceding Bertha in death are her parents; sister Hilda and husband Raymond Hemmingsen; brother Chris Christensen and nephew Vernon Hemmingsen.

   She is survived by three nephews: Raynor Hemmingsen and wife Ingrid of Atlantic; Franklin Hemmingsen and wife Jerri of Elk Horn and Dewey Hemmingsen and wife Ginger of Cedar Rapids; ten great nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.