Hildegard Berto's Obituary
Hildegard Berto, age 88, of South Range, WI., formerly of Amherst passed away Monday, November 20th, 2006 at Middle River Health Center, South Range, WI., following a valiant fight against cancer. Hilda was born on December 5, 1917 in the Town of Lanark, Wisconsin, to the late Emil and Emma (Schulke) Peters, the 8th of 12 children. She was baptized December 30, 1917 at St. John's German Lutheran Church, Lanark and confirmed July 26, 1931 from St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Amherst. She graduated from Amherst High School in 1936. She married her soul mate Melville G. Berto on June 18, 1937 at her parent's home in Amherst and they spent their honeymoon in Eagle River, Wisconsin and Bond & Agate Falls, Michigan. Hilda was a devout Christian and lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school for 26 years. She served in various positions on the local Lutheran Women's Missionary League, including one term as Chairperson for Circuit 5. She also served on the Altar Guild, and several terms as Secretary & Treasurer of St. Paul's Lutheran Ladies Aid and the church choir where she sang to God's glory for over 29 years. She served two terms as PTA President at Amherst. She was a member of the Sunshine Choraleers and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program; she received the President's Volunteer Service Award, Gold Level, for her volunteer efforts. Hilda worked at Olsen's IGA in Amherst for 27 years, until her retirement in December 1982. She had also been active in the King Archer's Club for many years where the family participated in Archery league and tournaments. She loved spending time with her family and also enjoyed knitting, gardening and taking care of her yard. Her loving husband Mel preceded her in death in 1973; they had been married for 36 years at the time of his death. She is also preceded in death by two infant children, Melville Jr. and Beatrice, her parents, Emma & Emil Peters, five brothers: Herman, Reinhart, Victor, Donald & Herbert; six sisters: August Peters, Adella Timm, Charlotte Buchholz, Evelyn Marx, Ella Packer, Violet Pask; and two grandsons Teddy Derick and Billy Derick. Hilda is survived by two daughters, Betty (Gene) Adams, Waupaca, WI; Millie (Norm) Derick, Hawthorne, WI; grandchildren Cindy (Kurt) Schoenwetter, Dee (Jerry) Gaska, Kathy Derick, Ken (Fiance'-Jessie Johnson) Derick; great grandchildren Adam Schoenwetter, Jenny, Jason & Jessie Gaska, Brandon, Nathan, Kevin, Kathryn, Randi & Kaiti Derick; great great grandchildren Trevor, Tyler & Joshua Derick. She is further survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Hilda was a kind, gentle and loving woman with great strength of character. Her name Hildegard means, woman of strength. Our special thanks to the caring staff of St. Mary's Hospice and Middle River Health Center. Funeral Services will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst, WI. at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 24th, with Reverend Chris Schwanz officiating. Interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, Amherst. Visitation will be held on Friday, from 10 AM until the time of the service at the church. The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements. If desired, Memorial contributions may be made in Hildegard Berto's honor to: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Amherst, WI; American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
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