Bertha Schmidt

Bertha Kathryn Stern (Bertie) was born August 27, 1918, in Crow River Township, Minnesota, the daughter of Hubert and Elizabeth (Athmann) Stern. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Belgrade, Minnesota. Bertie graduated from Belgrade High School in 1937 having excelled in Declamatory Arts.


After high school, she moved to Ortonville, Minnesota where she worked as a waitress. She then moved to Morris where she again waitressed at the Del Monico Café and the Pomme de Terre Country Club. With her husband, Eddie, she owned and operated two small businesses; the Friendly Inn and Like Nu Carpet Cleaners. Later in life she moved to Minneapolis where she attended the Minneapolis School of Cosmetology. Upon graduation she was employed at The Fifty West Hair Salon in Edina. After several years she retired and returned to Morris.





On May 8, 1941, Bertie was united in marriage to Edward (Eddie) Schmidt of Morris. The couple made their home in Morris and raised five children. Eddie died on August 10, 1983.





Bertie’s life-long creativity and passion for the arts was manifested in her numerous watercolor and oil paintings. She was also a gifted cook, baker, gardener, craftsperson and homemaker. She especially enjoyed caring for and spending time with her family.





Bertie passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at West Wind Village, Morris. She is survived by five children: Sherry (Glen) Quackenbush, Lenexa, KS, Edward Schmidt, Jr. (Kathy), Louisville, KY, Betty Jo Schmidt, St. Louis Park, MN, Vonny Schmidt, St. Louis Park, MN, and Carla Riley, Morris, MN. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Suzanne (Todd) Huss of Cincinnati, OH, Steven (Mary) Schmidt of Mason, OH, Mark Quackenbush of Lawrence, KS, Christopher (Jen) Riley of Morris, MN and Kiltie (Jeff) Gabrielson of New London, MN; and nine great grandchildren: Katie and Connor Huss, Michael and Laura Quackenbush, Jake and Jack Riley, Olivia and Emery Gabrielson and Tyler Schmidt.





Bertie was preceded in death by parents, Hubert and Elizabeth Stern, her husband, Edward, her sister, Olivia Vornbrock, and brother-in-law, Virgil Vornbrock. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.





Memorials preferred to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.