Bertha Holt

Bertha A. Holt, 94, formerly of Neillsville, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, at the Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, at the United Church of Christ, Neillsville. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Robert James Wilsmann, Timothy J. Wilsmann, Thomas Harnish, Brandon Oreskovich, Stacy Holt, and Aaron Fawley. Honorary pallbearers were Gary Melde and David Bartelson. Burial was in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Bertha A. Putzel was born on Nov. 11, 1909, at Red Lodge, Montana, to John and Frances (nee Boyce) Putzel. When she was a small child, the family moved to a farm in the Greenwood area. She married Edward Earl Holt on June 1, 1932, in Neillsville, and they resided on a small hobby farm in the Greenwood area. Her husband died on Dec. 9, 1965, and she continued to live on the farm until 1987, when she moved to Neillsville. She attended the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, and Winona State College, graduating with both her bachelor's and master's degrees. She taught at various country schools, and then spent most of her teaching career at Granton Public Schools. She semi-retired from teaching in 1975, but continued substitute teaching until age 85, then retired completely due to suffering a stroke and ill health. In 1996, due to ill health, she divided living in the homes of her son James, and her daughter, Elizabeth. In July of 2001, she moved to Parkside in Black River Falls, and remained there until Jan. 15, 2004, when she was moved to the Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls.

Survivors include two sons, James E. (Cheryl) Holt, Black River Falls, Richard E. (Terri) Holt, Spencer; one daughter, Elizabeth (Robert G.) Wilsmann, Neillsville; six grandchildren, Barbara A. Wilsmann, Robert James (Sharon) Wilsmann, Sherry K. (Thomas Harnish) Holt, Shelley R. (Gary) Holt Melde, Amy E. (David) Holt Bartelson, and Stacy E. Holt; two step-grandchildren, Heather Fawley Brown, and Aaron Fawley; 10 great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Timothy, and Stephanie Wilsmann, Emmalee, Calli, and Tye Decorah, Brandon Oreskovich, Leah Simplot, and Autumn and Daniel Bartelson; four step-great-grandchildren, David and April Bartelson, and Kyle Brown and Hailey Fawley; three sisters, Eleanore Russ, East Helena, Montana, Frieda Hoeser, Loyal, and Lucee (Gene) Ianke, Fenton, Montana; and nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Edward Holt; her parents; one brother, Earle Putzel; two brothers-in-law, Frank Russ and Joseph Hoeser, and one sister-in-law, Mary Putzel.

Bertha will be greatly missed by her family and many students.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.