Bertha Schoeneman

BERTHA SCHOENEMAN was born on June 6, 1917 to John and Lena (Broesder) Venenga on a farm near Bigelow, Minnesota. As a young child, her family moved and continued farming near Little Rock, Iowa. She received her education at country school through the eighth grade. On February 13, 1940, Bertha was united in marriage to Dick Schoeneman at her parents’ home. Following their marriage the couple moved to a farm near George, Iowa, where Dick continued to work for a farmer. The family later moved south of Ellsworth, Minnesota, where Dick continued to work for a farmer. Bertha and Dick eventually rented a farm north of Ellsworth and the couple farmed together here for over the next 30 years. The couple retired in November of 1979 and moved to Luverne, Minnesota. Dick preceded Bertha in death in February of 2001. Bertha continued to live at their home. In February of 2006, Bertha became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home where on Monday, November 21, 2011 she died peacefully at the age of 94 years, 5 months, and 15 days.

Bertha was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. During her later years she was very involved with the Senior Citizen’s Center in Luverne. She also enjoyed playing cards, bingo, and taking bus trips.

Bertha is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Lois Fikse of Luverne; daughter-in-law, Lorna Schoeneman of Luverne; six grandchildren, Gary Fikse and Melissa Olson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Allen (Kristi) Fikse of Walker, Minnesota, Greg (Vickie) Fikse of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cory (Sara) Schoeneman of Luverne, Mark (Amy) Schoeneman of Sioux Falls, and Renee (Jeremy) Sudenga of Luverne; 15 great-grandchildren, Nicole, Sydney, Carlie, Jayden, Dalton, Aleck, Colin, Chloe, Megan, Jenna, Logan, Tommy, Owen, Emma, and Brenna; two siblings, Anna Kor of Balaton, Minnesota, and Dick Venenga of Sioux Falls. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; son, Jerald “Jerry”; great-grandson, Tyler Fikse; five sisters, Dena DeBeer, Tena Lamfers, Jenny Henrichs, Lena Lamfers, and Frances Bents; and four brothers, Tom, Joe, Frank, and Enno Venenga.