Bertha Lydia Brown

GARNER - Bertha Brown, 100, of Britt, formerly of Garner, died Saturday (February 12, 2011) at the Summit House Retirement Community in Britt.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Saturday, February 19th at the United Methodist Church in Garner with Rev. Sandy Gobeli officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Friday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Bertha was a caring and vivacious lady, who celebrated her full life with dignity and dedication to her family, her friends, and her Lord. Born on December 28, 1910 in Perry, Oklahoma, she was raised in Garner, Iowa by Henry and Myra Henschen, her aunt and uncle. She graduated from Garner High School in 1929 and, after teaching country school for 4 years, attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City. Bertha always took leading parts in class plays, music and sports. She was valedictorian of her high school class, and her class at Hamilton. She met Leo, her husband of 52 years, while teaching school and they were married September 3, 1935 in Mason City. They had their only child, Douglas Brown, June 18, 1941. Bertha worked in Garner and did substitute teaching. In 1950 she began working for Charles Whitney, Supt. of County Schools. Whitney was a wonderful mentor, who helped guide her into her new career, at the Courthouse. In 1952, she became county drainage clerk, "My best job of all, where I met so many nice farmers, who became my close friends". In 1974, she was appointed County Auditor, and in 1976 she won re-election. During her time as Auditor, she supervised the building of a new County Home, new Law Enforcement Center, and all county level elections. During retirement, Bertha kept in touch with the County Supervisors, as secretary to the County Planning and Zoning Board, and the County Assessors. For 3 years she was president of the Hancock County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board, a life time member of the Garner Progressive Club and Order of Eastern Star, holding most offices there. She was also very active in the Garner United Methodist Church. Bertha's hobbies were playing canasta and 500. She later belonged to three bridge clubs. She loved to host her guests, with all sorts of her favorite baked goodies. She also collected and wrote poems. When her husband died in 1987, she often said, "I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of kindnesses and all the friendship given me, during his illness and death. What would we do without our dear friends?" To 'have a friend, you must be a friend', and she lived by this motto all of her life. She thrived on doing for others, when she had little time. She just made time. She made many new friends, when she moved to Summit House Apartments in Britt two years ago. She thrived on the social atmosphere, her new friends and the personal attention she received from the wonderful staff. She remained active throughout her later years, going bowling with her family on her 80th birthday. Not slowing down, she attended a Michigan State football game with her 3 grandchildren, when she was 90. She lived for life, and many times said, "Oh, I wish I could be active again, and go back to work at the Courthouse". She celebrated her 100 years of life last December, with family and friends. She continued to touch the hearts and lives of others, even strangers, in so many ways. She had an amazing zest for life. She said "Please miss me, but now I must go home".

She is survived by her son, Douglas and his wife, Bernetta, of Crownsville(Annapolis), Maryland; three grandchildren, Scott and Brandi of Los Angeles, CA and Kristin and her husband, David Nowaczyk, of Howell, MI with their Audrey Diane, Bertha's new great granddaughter.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; her three sisters in Oklahoma; her first granddaughter, Stacy Elizabeth; and her close sister-in-law, Ruth Brown.

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in her name to Iowa-Hospice, 18 E. Main Street Ste 2, New Hampton, IA 50659 or International Retts Syndrome Foundation, PO Box 706143, Cincinnati, OH 45270.