Engelbertha Roemen

Engelbertha Roemen, age 88 of Larchwood, IA died Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at the Avera-Mckennan Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday December 22nd, at The Church Of St. Mary in Larchwood, with Father Jeff Schleisman, officiating. Burial will take place at Larchwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 21th from 2 "8 PM, with the family present from 6- 8 PM at The Church Of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will be a 7:00 PM Vigil service Friday evening at the church. Engelbertha Bert Victoria Roemen was born May 25, 1919 in Rock Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Cornelius and Nellie (Tille) Rustman. Her father died before Bert was born as a result of Influenza, and Bert and her family moved to Minnesota for a few years returning back to Iowa at the age of 5. She was raised on a farm near Larchwood and attended country school, graduating from 8th grade. After school she remained with her family helping with farm life. Bert was united in marriage on January 28, 1941 to Herbert Roemen at the Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. Together the couple made their home in Larchwood where they remained their entire married lives. Three daughters were born to this union. Bert was a very active woman. She was a member of The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, active with the Altar Society and the St. Marys Choir. She was the Larchwood Library Treasurer for 25 years, Larchwood Post Master for 2 ½ years and 4-H Leader. She also was an Avon distributor for many years and active with the Democratic Club and the Fort Nightly Club. She enjoyed flower gardening, watching birds, bowling, sewing, collecting everything, and she was a great cook. She especially enjoyed her time with her husband, Herbert going dancing at the Arkota Ballroom, and fishing. Her family will remember her as a strong, determined, caring person who loved to visit with people. In 2001, Berts husband, Herbert died after 60 years of marriage. Bert continued to live in Larchwood and stayed very active with all her community activities. This past Wednesday, December 19, 2007, Bert died at the Avera-McKennan Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 88. She was survived by 3 daughters, Connie Michel of Dell Rapids, SD, Rita Snyder of Michell, SD and Pauline (and Kenneth) McEntee of Wagner, SD; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 4 siblings, Helen (and Donald) Roemen of Larchwood, IA, John Scholten of Arizona, Jeannie (and John) Willett of California, Paul (and Shirley) of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius and Nellie Rustman; her husband, Herbert Roemen; two grandchildren, Patrick Michel and Theresa OLeary; 8 siblings, Cora Blanchard, Gerald Scholten, Joseph Scholten, Daniel Scholten, Nell Lemke, Mary Ridder, Agnes Malady, and Dorothy Scholten.