Bertha Messer

Bertha P. Messer, age 90, of Albany died Monday, September 15, 2003 at the Albany Area Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 20, 2003 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union with Rev. James Statz officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call Friday from 4 to 9 pm and Saturday from 8 to 10 am at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 7 pm followed by Christian Mothers at 7:30 pm at the funeral home in Sauk Centre.

Bertha Messer was born on April 14, 1913 in St. Augusta, Minnesota to Herman and Mary (Kiffmeyer) Kenning. She was united in marriage to Anton Messer on May 31, 1938 at St. Augusta, Minnesota. They farmed near West Union until 1970 when she moved to Sauk Centre. She resided at Freeport, Minnesota for a number of years, moving to the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in December of 1998. Bertha was a member of St. Alexius Catholic Church, West Union and the Christian Mothers of West Union. She enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, making rosaries and gardening.

She is survived by her children, Joan Koopmeiners (Eugene) of Avon, Mary Eisenschenk (Allen) of Albany, Philip Messer (Sharon) of West Union, Rita Edberg (Randy) of Pennock, Michael Messer (Deb) of Carlos; brother and sisters, Leo Kenning of St. Augusta, Benigna Stang of Cold Spring, Ludwina Lommel of Luxemburg; 28 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Anton Messer on Feb. 1, 1970; sons, Leo Messer on July 14, 1993, James Messer on December 8, 1998; brothers and sisters, Clem Kenning, Gertrude Kenning, Clara Niedermeier, Theresa Kenning, Vincent Kenning and 1 grandchild.

Casket bearers will be Mark Koopmeiners, Dennis Gerads, Craig Messer, Derek Messer, Kevin Davis, Michael Messer.