Bertha M. Kolarich, 93, died on February 12, 2017 at Hospice House of the Black Hills.
She was born on September 17, 1923 to Richard and Myrtle (Goodwin) Floden and grew up on a farm in Eastern Iowa with 3 brothers and 1 sister. The family worked hard to survive during the depression but she did have her closest playmates nearby: her brothers John and Louie, horse “Baldy” and dog “Bum”. She lived with family friends in Fredericksburg, IA to attend high school. World War II broke out and after graduation she entered nurses training as a cadet nurse in Des Moines, IA and also worked at the local telegraph office.
After the war she met and married the love of her life, Robert E. Kolarich, and three children were born to them. Robert was a J C Penney Store manager so the family moved every three to four years when Robert was transferred throughout the Midwest. “Bert” was a stay at home mom and devoted to the care of her family. She relied on her trust in the Lord to guide her throughout her life and her family always knew they could count on her prayers. She lived out her faith by serving others through leading women’s Bible studies, teaching two-year olds Sunday School, and tutoring inner city disadvantaged children. She and Robert were very generous with their time and always willing to share their resources.
Her husband Robert died in 2011 after 65 years of marriage. In 2015 Bert moved from Godfrey, IL where they had lived the last 41 years, to Rapid City, SD to live near her daughter. Somerset Court Assisted Living was her new home where she met new friends and enjoyed the exercise classes, concerts and social events. Visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren made the last year very special.
She will be dearly missed by friends and family including daughter Jane Killinger of Rapid City; son Robert Kolarich Jr. (Debbie) of Nashville, TN; son Roger Kolarich (Jane) of Decorah, IA; brother Glen Floden (Ginny) of St. Louis, MO; Sister Marlyn Boleyn (Ralph) of Washburn, IA; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, two brothers John and Louis Floden, and two nephews E.G. Kolarich and Randy Boleyn.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 22nd at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with visitation for an hour prior to the service. Pastor Jake Killinger will officiate with burial following at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Memorials can be made to Rainbow Bible Ranch, 14676 Lonetree Road, Sturgis, SD 57785.