Janssen, Bertha E. 'Dolly'

Bertha E. “Dolly” Janssen, 92, of Monticello, died Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, at Monticello Nursing & Rehab. Center. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello, where a vigil service will be held at 3 p.m. Friends may continue to call Monday after 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello, where a Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Officiating will be the Rev. Paul Baldwin.

Dolly was born June 26, 1921, in Delhi, Iowa, the daughter of Jacob and Josephine (Besler) Merfeld. She received her education in the country schools of Dubuque County and St. Mary's Catholic School in Cascade. She grew up on farms in the Worthington, Cascade and Monticello areas. During World War II she worked at Quaker Oats Co. in Cedar Rapids and as “Rosie the Riveter” for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, Wash. She later became a member of the Rosie the Riveter Association. After the war ended she moved back to Monticello, where she worked at Peterman's Café and met her husband to be, John Janssen Jr. They were married Aug. 27, 1946, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello. Dolly worked at Thomas Bakery until December 1947, when they moved to a farm in Delaware County. After 16 years of farming, the couple moved back to Monticello.

She was a 4-H leader for a number of years, a day care provider, and later worked at Edwards Department Store. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served on several of its committees.

Dolly's greatest love was her husband, John; her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed sewing, gardening, golf, traveling, going to Cubs games, card playing, bowling and dancing.

Survivors include her children, Gary (Pat) Janssen of Island Lake, Ill., Pam (Vern) Skripsky of Weatherford, Texas, Sandy Kremer (Robbie Kremer) and Marla (David) Jacobs, both of Monticello; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Albert (Wilma) Merfeld of Monticello; two sisters-in-law, Maj Merfeld of New Mexico and Dorothy Janssen of Monticello; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Jr.; siblings, Nick (Marie) Merfeld, Loretta (Earl) Brown, Henry Merfeld, Lester (Liz) Merfeld, Ray Merfeld and Marie (Alvin) Miller, and an infant sister, Martha; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Above and Beyond Hospice or Camp Courageous of Iowa.

Information available and condolences accepted at www.kramerfuneral.com.

Published Oct. 12, 2013 in The Gazette