Bertha C. Bentkowski

Bertha C. Bentkowski, 89, of Mishawaka, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2011, in Miller’s Merry Manor in Wakarusa.

Bertha was born November 19, 1921 in South Bend, a daughter of the late William and Anna (Kowalski) Tobolski. She grew up in South Bend.

Bertha married John J. Bentkowski on January 11, 1943 in St. Hedwig Church in South Bend. The couple settled in Mishawaka in 1954.

During the World War II years, Bertha was employed at Ball Band. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka. Bertha was an excellent cook. She particularly enjoyed baking wedding cakes and was assisted in the cake baking by her husband. She also loved George Strait music.

Bertha’s surviving family includes two daughters, Sandra K. (Norman) Albert of Mishawaka and Karen L. (Burgess) Banks of Kentucky; four grandchildren, Thomas Albert, Timothy Albert, Justine Trigg, and Melissa Bourne; seven great grandchildren, Nicole, Crystal, Tanya, Justin, Cara, Autumn and Georgia; two great-great grandchildren, Chase and Sophia; a brother, Daniel Tobolski; and three sisters, Henrietta Marosz, Delphine Ferguson and JoAnne Simmons.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, John; three sisters, Sophie Jansen, Helen Nettouer and Carrie Marosz; and three brothers, Casimier, Bert and Joseph Tobolski.

Visitation took place Friday, June 24, 2011, from 4 - 6 pm in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, where the Rosary was prayed at 6 pm.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, June 25, at 9:30 am in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill Street, Mishawaka. Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery.

Contributions in memory of Bertha are suggested to Alzheimer’s Services or St. Joseph Church. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.