Bertha Emilia Moltzan, age 93, of Perham, formerly of Vergas, MN, passed away Monday, March 22, 2010 at Thomas House in Perham under Red River Valley Hospice care.
Bertha was born the daughter of Rudolph and Minnie (Kratzke) Wischnak on January 20, 1917 near Vergas, MN. Bertha was baptized into faith on March 4, 1917. She attended district #149 country school. Bertha confirmed her faith on May 24, 1931 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Loon Lake. On September 10, 1936 she was united in marriage to Henry Moltzan at St. Paul's Lutheran Loon Lake Church. Bertha and Henry raised three children on the farm, which they farmed for 32 years, then built and operated Birch Shores Resort on Leek Lake for 11 years, before building their retirement home nearby. Henry died December 23, 1993. Shortly after, at the age of 77, Bertha got her drivers license. In 1996, Bertha and Henry's daughter Shirley passed away. Bertha loved spending time with her family and friends, especially enjoying the great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and keeping actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed having a garden, flowers, quilting and mowing her lawn.
She is survived by 2 sons: Henry (Paulette) of Vergas and Gerald (Debi) of Frazee; 12 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; 5 step grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 2 sisters: Alvina Hunstiger of Vergas and Adeline Sherbrooke of Pelican Rapids; 4 sister-in-laws: Leona Youngman of Coon Rapids, Betty Moltzan of Frazee, Betty Wischnak of Detroit Lakes and Sharon Wischnak of Frazee; 1 brother-in-law, Melvin Wischnak of Frazee; 1 son-in-law, Louie Sazama of Dent, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Henry; 1 daughter, Shirley Sazama; 1 sister, Anna Manke; and 1 brother, Ernest Wischnak.
Funeral services will be held 2 P.M. Saturday, March 27, 2010 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Loon Lake. Visitation will be held from 4-8 P.M. Friday, March 26, 2010 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Vergas with a prayer service to be held at 4 P.M. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Loon Lake on Saturday. Interment will be made in Vergas Village Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Bertha's Grandsons: Ken, Ray, and Tom Sazama, Andy, Mike, Wade and Matthew Moltzan and Dusty Dahring. Honorary casketbearers will be her granddaughters: Marie Malcolm, Jan Nebosis, Jennifer Graphenteen, Johanna Ringsrud, Kimberly Bauer, Gina Schauer and the spouses of her grandchildren, Colleen Sazama, Vicki Sazama, Renolle Moltzan, Mitch Malcolm, Mike Nebosis, Jeff Graphenteen, Mike Ringsrud, Steve Bauer, Travis Schauer and Deb Werner. A luncheon will be hosted at the church following the service for all to attend. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Furey Funeral Home, Frazee, MN.