Bertha Nally

Bertha Nally, age 89 of Hopkins, MN formerly of Aberdeen passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN after a brief illness.

Bertha Marie Walker was born to Lloyd and Martha (Stern) Walker in a farm home in Edmunds County, SD on November 22, 1921. She began country school in the fall of 1929 and graduated from Loyalton, SD High School in the spring of 1942. During her second year of school the teacher had her complete both the second and third grade. After her freshman year of high school, she withdrew for the next three years due to the hardships of the time. When she returned to high school, remarkably she completed the last three years of work in two years.

During World War II there was a shortage of teachers in the country schools. Bertha became interested in teaching, completing the certification test and received her teaching certificate to teach the second grade. She taught in the country school from 1942 to 1944.

In 1944 Bertha saw posters inviting citizens to join the war effort. This piqued her interest so, that in June she enlisted in the Woman's Army Corps (WAC). She served as a clerk and attained the rank of corporal. She was discharged on December 24, 1945. The following two days she traveled by train to return home. Her only meal on Christmas was a pheasant sandwich given to her at the Pheasant Canteen at the train depot in Aberdeen. She never forgot the kindness of the people who gave her that sandwich on Christmas.

After her military service, Bertha returned to Northern State Teacher's College for more education. Later, she was employed as a service clerk at the Montgomery Ward store.

In 1946 she married Dale Nally, a painter and interior decorator, and then later an American News Photographer in Aberdeen where they raised three children. She devoted herself to her family. Mr. Nally died in 1985.

Bertha continued to live in Aberdeen twenty years. During that time she was active in two vision support groups and the senior center. She enjoyed reading, holding rummage sales, crocheting and visiting with friends and family.

In 2004 she relocated to Hopkins, MN, where she resided at St. Therese Southwest, an independent senior living complex. While there, she volunteered in the Memory Care Unit. The spiritual side of life was important to her as she regularly attended a weekly Interfaith Service and Bible Study Group. Bertha was a special woman with a wonderful sense of humor and a great hearty laugh.

She is survived by two sons, Lowell (Rosemary), Lance (Lydia) and one daughter Nola, grandchildren, Christy (Mike), Linnea, Leah and Nickolas, and one sister, Mrs. Bernice Jeschke and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers and one sister.

Memorials in Bertha's honor may be directed to the Aberdeen Senior Center.

A celebration of her life will be held at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory in Aberdeen, SD Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:00pm with Pastor Mary Anne Nelson-Loefke of Bethlehem Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, September 18, 2011 from 5-7pm and Monday one hour prior to the service all at the mortuary. Friends may sign her online guest book at www.schriversmemorial.com. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites by the Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post #24 of Aberdeen.

 

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