Bertha Eldridge

Bertha Eldridge, affectionately known as Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma, greatly impacted the lives of everyone she knew with her compassionate and gentle ways. With her beloved husband, Bob, they gave their “all” to each of their sons, seeing the speck of potential in each son’s eyes and bringing out the best in each one. Nothing made Bertha happier than to have her sons, and eventually, their families seated around her dining room table at the farm. She was the consummate mother, always thinking of her family until her dying day. The words of Proverbs 31: 28 suit her well: “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Bertha was born in St. Johns, Michigan on November 15, 1920 to Frederick and Ida (Mohnke) Tiedt. Her parents were thrilled to have a daughter to add to their family of four sons. Growing up on a farm in Bengal Township where her family was busy raising hogs and chickens, young Bertha loved animals, especially the farm kittens. She dressed the kittens in doll clothes and took them for rides in her buggy. Her love for cooking came from spending time with her Mother, Ida Tiedt, and in the years to come, the taste of fresh baked bread delighted her four brothers. As an adult, she was known for the fabulous wedding cakes she created.

While attending Fowler’s Boak School through the eighth grade, Bertha’s Father purchased a house in Fowler. She then attended Fowler High School where she enjoyed student life and was honored as the valedictorian of her graduating class.

The strong work ethic Bertha established during her formative years followed her into the workplace. After graduation Bertha worked for the Olin Health Center at Michigan Agricultural College and later the First National Bank in St. Johns.

As a high school student, she met a dashingly handsome young man, Robert Eldridge, while attending a church play at the Fowler Opera House. Romance began! Even though they were part of a group date, Robert’s heart was smitten with Bertha. He passed her a note asking her out on an official date. Bertha gladly accepted his invitation and their first date turned into many more over the next four to five years. Their dates often included trips to the movie theater in both Owosso and Ionia.

After dating for a time, Robert asked Bertha to marry him on several occasions before she finally agreed. Bertha and Robert were united in marriage on May 10, 1943 while Robert was home on furlough from serving in the United States Army. Bertha was 22 and Robert was 26, but nothing could have made them happier than promising their lives to each other. On their wedding day the couple drove to nearby Flint where they stayed at the Durant Hotel. The newlyweds then made their way to Detroit where they saw Swan Lake at the Opera House. Robert’s military duty required him to return to Fort Benning.

Once he was discharged Robert returned to Bertha, and they soon settled on a 60 acre piece of farm land they acquired from Bertha’s parents after their deaths. They remained on that farm for the rest of their lives. She continued to work part-time for the Fowler State Bank until the mid-fifties. Nothing could have thrilled the couple more than becoming parents to five wonderful sons—Bob, Douglas, Bill, John, and Michael.

Bertha taught her growing children the importance of hard work, proper manners, and how to clean house and set the table. When her sons married, their wives, Sherrie, Barb, Mary, and Marianne were delighted that Bertha had trained them well!

Bertha was a woman of faith and Jesus was clearly the Lord of her life. She was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the St. Paul Lutheran Ladies Aid. Bob and Bertha’s love of travel inspired them to visit Europe, Canada, and many of the States. However her brother’s quaint cottage at Crystal Lake was her favorite, where she initiated board and card games, such as euchre, scrabble, rum, and a variety of other word games. In the quiet times, while listening to classical music on WKAR, Bertha, made crochet items for the Ladies Aid and scarves for the grandchildren she adored.

In the golden years of her life, health became a huge challenge, but she drew strength from God’s faithfulness in years past, and leaned hard on her Lord. At age 89, after three surgeries in one year, she fought a valiant fight that inspired each generation after her.

As family members visited her hospital bedside before her death, she remained the devoted wife, loving mom, mother-in law, and precious grandma and great grandma. When awakening from critical illness, her first words to her husband were, “I love you.” Her countenance lit up when all of her boys and husband stood around her bedside. Grandchildren stopped and communicated their love with tears and touch. One of her sons stroked her brow and said, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” A child-like smile graced her face as she responded, “I like that.” Her last words to one of her sons were “There are relatives.” Perhaps God gave her a glimpse of those who had entered heaven’s gate before her.

Even though Bertha is now at Home with the Lord she loves, her family grieves the loss of her presence. This Scripture describes her life: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (II Timothy 4: 7, KJV).

Bertha M. Eldridge died on December 28, 2009. Bertha’s family includes her husband Robert; their four sons, Robert (Sharon) Eldridge of Fishers, IN, William (Barbara) Eldridge of Midland, MI, John (Mary Jo) Eldridge of Mason, MI, and Michael (Marianne Ahokas) Eldridge of Arcata, CA; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Bertha was preceded in death by one son, Douglas Eldridge and four brothers, Frederick, Lorenz, Erwin and Rudolph Tiedt. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 31, 2009, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fowler, with Pastor Paul Clark officiating, burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends, 6 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes in Fowler. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com/memories/54680, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to St. Paul Lutheran Church.