Bertha Marie Aho

FUNERAL SERVICES: 1 AM Monday, January 5, 2009 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka INTERMENT: Hay Creek Cemetery BERTHA MARIE AHO October 19, 1926 " January 1, 2009Bertha Marie Aho age 82, a long time Sebeka, MN area resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 1st, 2009 at the Tri-County Hospital in Wadena, MN. Bertha was born on October 19, 1926 near Sebeka, MN to Isaac and Alma (Lindula)) Bay. She attended the District #219 Country school through the eighth grade and then went on to attend high school in Sebeka. As a young woman, Bertha waitressed at area restaurants for a time. She was married to Ernest Rautio and they made their home in Minneapolis for several years before returning to the Sebeka area. In addition to making a warm and loving home for her family, Bertha clerked at the Motley Sales Barn for 15 years and also worked as a clerk at the Coop Store in Sebeka for many years. In 1980, Bertha moved to Westland, Michigan where she was united in marriage to James Aho. When James passed away in 1986, she returned to Sebeka where she could be closer to her daughters and has made her home at the Riverside Apartments since that time. Bertha was active in her community. She was a long time and faithful member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka. She served on the board of the Senior Center in Sebeka and had also served as the secretary of the Hay Creek Cemetery for many years. In her spare time, Bertha enjoyed sewing and over the years had sewed many varied items of apparel for others. She also enjoyed bowling and had bowled on a league in Wadena for many years. Above all, Bertha devoted her life to her children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her three daughters: Rosemary (Carl Calistro) of Menahga, MN, Twyla (Paul) Hepola of Menahga, MN amd Tammy (Gilbert) Ruelas of Tuscon, AZ; three grandchildren: Shane (Claudia) Hepola, Ryan (Sarah) Schwartz and Holly (Chad) Smith; six great grandchildren; a special niece, Kay Bay of Michigan; two brothers: Lester (Bernice) Bay of New York Mills, MN and Edwin Bay of Michigan; two step-children: Jack (Joanie) Yochum and Jim Harrington all of Michigan and three step-grandchildren of Michigan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four sisters: Lillian, Ellen, Hilda and Elsie and one brother, William. Memorial Services will be held 11 AM Monday, January 5, 2009 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka, MN with the Reverend Ray Hendrickson officiating. The organist will be Lolita Myers. Interment will be made in the Hay Creek Cemetery in the spring. Arrangments were under the direction of the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home serving Menahga and Sebeka, MN.