Bertha Holmes
Bertha Holmes
Bertha Holmes
December 30, 1919 – September 23, 2014
Remsen (Oskaloosa), Iowa | Age 94
Bertha Holmes, 94, of Remsen and formerly of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at Happy Siesta Nursing Home in Remsen. She was born Tuesday, December 30, 1919 in Oskaloosa, the daughter of Milton L. and Flossie “Flo” Harlow Morrison.
Bertha graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1937. She then attended business school in Des Moines. She worked in the auditing department at the Sears stores in Oskaloosa, Ottumwa and Des Moines. She then returned to Oskaloosa and worked in the auditor’s office at the court house where she met her husband Wally. On November 1, 1952, Bertha was united in marriage to Wallace “Wally” E. Holmes; he died June 22, 1981. She later worked as a bookkeeper for Thayer Chevrolet, Carpenter Motors and Walker Motors, retiring from Walker Motors in 1971. She also served as the treasurer for Mahaska Gas and the Presbyterian Church.
After retirement, Bertha traveled extensively and visited many foreign countries. She loved spending time outdoors and watching the birds. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and drawing. In June 2014, she moved to Remsen to be closer to her family. She lived at Happy Siesta where her great granddaughter Jackie works. Jackie was a blessing to her in her final days.
Bertha is survived by her two granddaughters: Kim (& Steve) Sherlock and Lisa (& Mike) Hammond; 9 great grandchildren: Jimmy Most, Melissa Most, Sara (& Jeremy) Robinson, Abbie Most, Hank Stoltze, Mike Hammond, Jessica Hammond, Jackie (& Jesse) Staab, Jenny (& Gary) Brady; 9 great great grandchildren: Ben, Emma, Stacie, Kellen, Jacob, Lexi, Bailey, Bryce, Breanna; two sisters-in-law: Phyllis Morrison and Shirley Morrison; two special nieces: Beverly Brink and Melinda Farber; as well as many other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter, Connie Inglis; five sisters: Lola Brewer, Wilda Kelley, Lene Toll, Anna Huffman and Mary Boonstra; three brothers: Earl, Burl and Tom Morrison; and a sister in infancy.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 26, 2014 at 2 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating.
As was her wish, her body will be cremated following the funeral.
Visitation with the family will be held Friday from 1 p.m. until service time at 2p.m.
Burial of the cremated remains will be in the Forest Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Mahaska Hospice or Crisis Intervention Services in Oskaloosa.
