BAUMGARTEL, Bertha Loraine (Knight) - b. December 11, 1927 - d. October 26, 2009

[patyrn]

Bertha Loraine (Knight) Baumgartel, age 81, a resident of Howard, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 26, 2009 at the Howard Twilight Manor.  Bertha was born on December 11, 1927 in Blogett, Kansas, the daughter of Frankie Van Buren and Lillie May (Wormington) Knight.

On August 29, 1949, Bertha was united in marriage to Dale Baumgartel in Fredonia, Kansas.  Bertha worked as a school cook for Howard High School and Norwich Schools.  She was an avid doll collector.  Her collection consists of approximately 3500 dolls which will be displayed by Benson Museum of Howard, Kansas under the name, "Bertha's Dolls".  She also loved painting, crocheting, sewng, and all kinds of crafts.  She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, and they enjoyed every meal she made.  Bertha's love was felt by everyone who passed through her door.

Bertha is survived by three sons, Roger Baumgartel of Severy, Kansas, John Baumgartel and his wife, Donna of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, and Marlin Baumgartel and his wife, Nadine of Howard, Kansas; one daughter Elaine McElwain and her husband, Jim of Burden, Kansas; one sister, Bonita Ramsey of Howard, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren; twenty four great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchidlren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale on May 30, 2000; four brothers, Ernie Knight, Cleve Knight, Floyd Knight, and Winford Knight; one sister, Bernice Fiscus; and one granddaughter, Robin Jo Baumgartel.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Visitation will be Friday, October 30, 2009 from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Grace Lawn Cemetery, Howard, Kansas.

Contributions are suggested to "Bertha's Dolls"-Benson Museum and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Zimmerman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1233, Howard, Kansas  67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

[patyrn]

"Bertha's Dolls" of the Benson Museum will be such a fitting memorial to Bertha Baumgartel and a great addition to the museum complex on Howard's Main Street.