Irene Bertram

IRENE BERTRAM

Irene V. Bertram, 93, of Ottumwa, died at 11:15 p.m. August 14, 2011 at her home.

She was born April 5, 1918 in Canton, OH to Henry and Dorcie Baker Wiegreff. She married Howard Bertram November 25, 1937. He preceded her in death January 11, 1982.

Irene was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She always had a kind word for everyone and a cheerful disposition. She loved playing cards, chatting on the phone, the color blue, and singing her favorite songs. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ottumwa.

Surviving are two daughters, Karen (Monte) King of Tomball, TX and Judy (Bruce) Switala of Ottumwa; two sons, Dave (Mary) Bertram of Scottsdale, AZ and Jerry (Carol Ann) Bertram of Palatine, IL; 9 grandchildren, Tiffany (Brian) Goodwin and Melissa (Matt) Paluska both of Houston, TX, Susan (Dennis) DeWeerdt of Plainfield, IL, Jenny Bertram of Phoenix, AZ , Darren (Elyse) Bertram of Scottsdale, AZ, Brian (Paige) Bertram of Las Vegas, NV, Becky (Dick) Amundsen of Rolling Meadows IL, Mike (Linda) Bertram of Schaumburg, IL, Ronald Bertram of Springdale, AR; 11 great-grandchildren, Amber and Jeremy DeWeerdt, Jessica and Jamie Amundsen, Tristin , Madeline, Tyler, Kennedy, Christie, Ashley and Angela Bertram; a sister, Winnie Risher of Massillon, OH; and a brother, Buddy Wiegreff of Canton, OH.

She was preceded in death by five sisters and a brother.

Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Thursday at Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa, IA with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Services will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. Emmanuel Tabelisma officiating.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Sax-Tiedmann Funeral Home in Franklin Park, IL. Burial will be in Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Hospice, 927 Pennsylvania Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501