Bertha Josephine Schmeeckle

Bertha Josephine Schmeeckle, age 97, of Eustis, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2013 in Lincoln. Bertha was born September 15, 1916 at Crandon, South Dakota to Herman and Wilhelmina (Koester) Peimann. Bertha was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Crandon, South Dakota and was confirmed on July 9, 1932. She graduated from Redfield High School in 1933. Bertha came to Nebraska with relatives in the summer of 1933 and obtained work with various families as a housekeeper and childcare employee. On February 19, 1941, Bertha married Herman Schmeeckle in Eustis. Bertha and Herman moved to California while he was in the service. They eventually returned to Eustis in 1945, where they made their home. Their union was blessed with 5 children, Lloyd, Keith, Janet, Diane and Doris. Bertha drove the kindergarten school bus route for the Eustis School System and was a secretary at the school from 1962 to 1982. Bertha enjoyed embroidering and making tea towels. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis and was a 65 year member of the American Legion Auxillary. Memorials are suggested to the Eustis Senior Center, American Legion Auxillary or St. John’s Lutheran Church. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herman; daughter, Doris; daughter-in-law, Marilyn; brother, Ernest Peimann; and 3 sisters, Alta, Edna and Esther. Survivors include 4 children, Lloyd ( Janice) Schmeeckle of Lincoln, Keith (Kathy) Schmeeckle of Eustis, Janet (Vernon) Westberg of Lincoln and Diane (Jack) Geller of Mankato, MN; sisters, Delpha Dumke of Sioux Falls, SD and Elaine Buchholz of Huron, SD; 8 grand children, Kristin LaPorta of Lincoln, Kurt Westberg of Omaha, Mark (Tina) Westberg of Brainerd, MN, Karl (Stephanie) Westberg of Lincoln, Samuel Geller of Eden Prairie, MN, Katherine Geller of Kansas City, Sarah Geller of Maplewood, MN, Stephanie Geller of Duluth, MN; 5 great-grandchildren; and numerous other family and friends. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis with Pastor Harold Laursen officiating. Burial will be in the East Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis. Berryman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.