Bertha Bosch

Steen, MN Bertha Bosch, age 87 of Steen, MN died Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, January 20th at The Reformed Church of Steen in Steen, MN, with Rev. Dan Kuik officiating. Burial will follow at Eastside Cemetery, rural Steen. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 19th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills. Bertha Keunen Bosch was born January 14, 1923 in Lochem Gelderland The Netherlands to Ben and Johanna (Veldhorst) Keunen. At the age of 3, Bertha moved with her family from the Netherlands to Sioux County, Iowa. In 1934, when she was 11 years old, she and her family moved to what has become the family farm near Steen, MN. On November 11, 1942 she was united in marriage to Bill Bosch in Steen, MN and to this union nine children were born. She and her husband farmed near Steen until they built a new home and moved to town in 1983. Keith and his family now live on and operate the farm. Later in life, Bertha worked as a nurses aide at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills and was a volunteer at Childrens Care in Sioux Falls, SD. Bertha was a wonderful wife and mother. Her children and grandchildren will be sustained by so many fond memories. She was a woman of faith who was known for her compassionate and generous spirit and who instilled in her children the value of hard work and love of family. Meal time was a special time in the Bosch household. Not only was Bertha a good cook, she promoted laughter and great conversation with her large family at mealtimes. Bertha loved to travel. She and her husband didnt miss a year without taking their large family for a summer vacation. Places such as Yellowstone, the Ozarks or the Black Hills were just some of the trips to remember. In later life, she and Bill would take bus trips to different destinations, even to Belize to see Darrell when he was in the Peace Corps. She also loved to play games. Her grandchildren will remember her smiling and laughing with them as they played various card games and board games. Bertha also loved music, especially Gospel and old hymns celebrating her faith. This past Saturday, Bertha passed away at the age of 87. She will be missed by many. Bertha is survived by her seven children, Roger (Carole) Bosch of Steen, MN, Linda (Les) Hengeveld of Valley Springs, SD, Darrell Bosch of Blacksburg, VA, Lois Bosch of Richfield, MN, Keith (Rondy) Bosch of Steen, MN, Ladine (Scott) Marquardt of Gresham, OR, and Lexia Bosch of Burnsville, MN.; 17 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; sisters, Mickey Bonnema of Hills, MN, Johanna Aykens and Mildred Keunen, both of Steen, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years; daughter Wenda Joy; son, Vergel Warren; daughter-in-law, Kayce Bosch; and granddaughter, Wendy Sharon.