Bertha Spitzer

Bertha Spitzer, long time resident of North Dakota and most recently of MN passed away in Alexandria, MN on December 12, 2020 at the age of 100 years.

Bertha was born on June 20, 1920 to Adam and Lydia (Weisenburger) Schnabel on a farm near Venturia, ND.  She was baptized, confirmed and attended country school in that area surrounded by prairies of which she spoke fondly. As a young woman she worked in Bismarck, ND as a housekeeper and nanny. On August 4, 1941, she and Harold H. Spitzer were married in Danzig, ND.  They resided in Ashley, ND for several years, eventually moving to Bismarck where they made their home through their retirement years.  At the age of 88 Bertha moved to Alexandria, MN to live closer to family. There she lived at Windmill Ponds Senior Living Community, Edgewood and the past year at Bethany on the Lake.

Throughout her life, Bertha was very active in the Lutheran church, serving on Altar Guild and other service groups, attending circle Bible studies, and making quilts for Lutheran World Relief with the quilters group. Bert, as she was known to her friends, always enjoyed having friends, neighbors and relatives “drop in” for coffee and a visit.  Bert loved listening to music and dancing, particularly polka and waltz. Having grown up during the depression years Bertha became a resourceful woman, sewing new clothes from old clothing she had taken apart, making feasts out of leftovers and rarely throwing household items away, rather creatively repurposing them.  She was a prolific quilter, lovingly hand stitching quilts for her daughters, all of her grandchildren and others. Anytime family came to visit she made certain their favorite meals of her German-Russian heritage were served and always included her home baked kuchen.

Bertha cherished the family that loved her and survive her. They are her daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen (Gene) Fynboh, Brandon, MN and Maxine (Mike) Olson, Green Bay, WI; her grandchildren, Marin Howe, MN, Derek (Jami) Fynboh, CO, Greg (Naomi) Fynboh, MN, Cory (Jessica) Fynboh, CO, Andrew (Guinevere) Olson, CT, Alex (Christi) Olson, WI; her great grandchildren, Nate (Katrina), Nic and Noah Howe, Ferris Fynboh, Isabel, Lydia and Sawyer Fynboh, Steven and Eric Olson, Josie, Juliet and Jessica Olson; her older sister, Anna Rott, and her sister-in-law, Janice Schnabel.  Those preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Harold H Spitzer; brothers Edmond, Lawrence and Walter Schnabel; sisters Esther Marzolf and Emelia Lippert.

Bertha will be laid to rest on Friday, December 18, 2020 next to Harold, her husband of 66 years, at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Ashley, ND near the prairies where she was born.  Due to Covid-19 a private service will be held.

The family of Bertha wishes to thank the staff at Windmill Ponds for friendship and welcoming her to her new community after her move to MN; to the staffs at Edgewood, Bethany on The Lake and Douglas County Hospice for the kind and compassionate care given to her.

Anderson Funeral Home www.andersonfuneral.net and Carlsen Funeral Home www.aberdeenfuneralhome.com have been entrusted with arrangements.

In Lieu of Flowers memorials are preferred to donor's choice.