Bertha Anna Marie Sundby was born in Hewitt. MN on November 24, 1920 to Henry and Ida (Wachlin) Oldenburg. She passed away Thursday, April 19, 2007, at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena. Bertha was united in marriage to John E. Sundby on September 18, 1938 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Bertha, MN. They were blessed with seven children and 74 grandchildren/great-grandchildren. Bertha was a very special lady not only to her family, but to her many friends. She & John raised their family in the rural Wadena area until moving into Wadena in 1994. Bertha could go out and catch a live chicken and have the best fried chicken meal within hours. She always enjoyed company and playing cards. She spent the last 10 years in the Fair Oaks Lodge and enjoyed her many friends and especially Tuesday BINGO. She always talked highly of the staff and truly enjoyed life to the fullest. She was a great inspiration to her family and shared her love of God, which was very important to her. Her biggest joy was having her family together and getting to visit with her grandchildren/great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, John; sisters, Maggie, Marie, and Dorothy; and brother, George. She is survived by her children, Cleon (Pat) of Watertown, MN, John (Betty) of East Gull Lake, Sandra (Jim) Winkels of Perham, Jim (Barb) of Wadena, Ron (Judy) of Verndale, Gary of Duluth, Jerry (Cindy) of Watertown, MN; sister, Ida Johnson of Alexandria; brothers, John (Arlene) Oldenburg and Harry (Georgianna) Oldenburg of New Richmond, WI; and 74 grandchildren/great-grandchildren plus numerous other family members and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor William Stockman officiating. Burial took place in the Wadena Cemetery following the services. Active pallbearers will be her grand daughters; Cindy Wassermann, Renae Draper, Melissa Kicker , Brenda Kramer, Sarah Madsen, Tina Hjelm, Lisa Buening and Annie Sundby. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren/great-grandchildren.
