LIGHT, Bertha Marie (Peninger) - b. April 2, 1928 - d. May 14, 2011

[patyrn]

Bertha Marie Peninger Light, age 83, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the Howard Twilight Manor in Howard, Kansas.  She was born on April 2, 1928 on a farm northwest of Burden, Kansas to Ray Everett and Theo Gladys (Moore) Peninger.

Bertha grew up a few miles northeast of Burden.  She attended Mt. Vernon Rural School and Burden High School.  She married Joseph Francis Light on December 11, 1944 in Winfield, Kansas, and to this union was born three children, Barbara Jo, Marlyn Louise, and Larry Wayne.  All were reared in Howard, Kansas.  Bertha and Joe lived in Burden until 1950 when they moved to Howard, Kansas.  With only a 12-year period, they both worked in Wichita, Kansas, returning to Howard after retirement.  In 2004, they moved to Independence, Kansas.

Bertha loved her family.  She was a homemaker first and then worked for the Post Office for nearly 30 years.  She joined the Methodist Church at an early age.  Bertha was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star, and 4-H, helping with organizations as she could.  She was a friend to all. Bertha painted and made quilts for her babies, grandbabies, and great-grandbabies.  She quilted many quilts her mother had pieced for all her siblings' families too.

Leaving to mourn are daughters, Barbara Jo and Jim C. Smith of Eureka, Kansas and their children, Brandi and Kandi; Marlyn and Tom Long of Independence,  Kansas and their children, Ronda, Sherry, Denece, Jason, Josh, and Nicki;  her son, Larry and Crystal Light of El Dorado, Kansas and their children, Terry and Patrick; sister, Nina Kullhem of Palisade, Minnesota;  brother John Peninger of Derby, Kansas, ; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and brothers-in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her father, Ray Peninger; her mother, Theo Allen;  her granddaughter, Baby Smith; two great-grandchildren; and her sister, Lela Bannon.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011 at the Howard United Methodist Church with Rev. Charles Cryderman officiating.  Visitation will be held Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Interment will be at Grace Lawn Cemetery.  Family suggests contributions to the Howard United Methodist Church which may be left with the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)