Dalke, Bertha Louise (1922-1944)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Mar 9 p. 3

Birth date: 1922 Aug 18

text of obituary:

BERTHA LOUISE DALKE

Bertha Louise Dalke was born August 18, 1922 near Hampton, Nebraska, and departed this life Tuesday morning, February 8, 1944, in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dalke near Luton, Iowa. She reached the age of 21 years 5 months and 20 days.

When she was four years old, she moved with her parents to Madrid, Nebraska, where she spent most of her childhood years. When she was 12 years old she became ill, which proved to be leakage of the heart. Under medical care she recovered in time and enjoyed fair health though the weak heart stayed with her.

During a series of evangelistic meetings held in the Mennonite church at Madrid, Nebraska, by Rev. J. J. Esau she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour. Through the providence of God Rev. Esau also conducted evangelistic meetings in the Mennonite Church of Luton, Iowa, during the week when Bertha passed away. It was her privilege to have him at her bedside to speak comfort to her and sing together with several other friends the last two days before her departure.

Bertha was baptized May 31, 1936, by Rev. N. P. Janzen, who was then pastor of the First Mennonite church of Madrid, Nebraska, and was accepted as a member of that church and retained her membership there until her end.

In 1939 she moved with her parents to Iliff, Colo., where she graduated from high school, earning the highest honors. she attended the State Teachers College of Greeley, Colorado, for one year.

In 1942 she moved with her parents to Luton, Iowa. Since she had consecrated her life to the Lrod Jesus Christ and desired to serve Him as He would lead, she went to Chicago to attend the Moody Bible Institue. seh spent about one and one-half years in Chicago, attending eveing school and doing secretarial work for Hibbard, Bartlet and Spencer Company to earn her expenses. Las sumemr, while she was still in Chicago, her health began to fail. She came home in August and was