Cover photo for Bertha Franken's Obituary
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1911 Bertha 2009

Bertha Franken

September 22, 1911 — May 13, 2009

BERTHA FRANKEN, 97, of Sioux Center, IA died Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May16 at 10:30 AM at Bethel Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg and Rev. John Lee officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Friday from 4-8 PM with the family present from 6:30-8 PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.
The Franken family prefers memorials be directed to Sioux Center Christian School.

Bertha (Engeltjes) Franken was born September 22, 1911, to Gerrit and Cornelja (Magre) Engeltjes in Elbrug, The Netherlands. She was one of eleven children. In 1920, her family left Holland on a two-week, cross-Atlantic trip, entering the United States at Ellis Island. As a young girl she worked in many homes doing housework and helping new mothers with their children.

On March 6, 1936, she married Dick Franken in Sioux Center. They farmed west of Sioux Center their entire married life. Dick passed away June 1, 1985. Bertha continued to help with chores on the farm until February 1995, when she made her residence at the New Homestead in Sioux Center. July 2008, she moved into Franken Manor. The last two weeks of her life she lived at Royale Meadows Care Center.

Bertha enjoyed working outdoors and also making quilts for family members and others. She loved to have her grandchildren and great-grandchildren visit.

Bertha was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church and enjoyed being a part of the Sunshine Circle for many years.
Bertha is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Arthur and Marlene, Gerald and Joanne, Dick Jr. and Faith all of Sioux Center; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law: Bernie and Betty Engeltjes of Leota, MN and Andy and Betty Engeltjes of Orange City; three sisters: Grace Van Roekel of Sioux Center, Marie and Gerrit Fedders of Sioux Center, Nellie and Bill Meyer of Sheldon; brother-in-law, Lewis Wynia of Sioux Center as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, young brother, Bernie Engeltjes; brothers and sisters-in-law: Lewis and Gertrude Engeltjes, and Henry and Wilma Engeltjes; sisters and brothers-in-law: Hattie and Fred Vollink and Fannie and Fred Van Dieren; brother-in-law, Tony Van Roekel. Also preceding Bertha in death from the Franken Family were: Alfred and Henrietta Franken, Jim and Nell Franken, Hermina Wynia and Elizabeth and Gerrit Van Maanen.
To order memorial trees in memory of Bertha Franken, please visit our tree store.

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