Bertha B. Schank, 92, Dickinson, died Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson. Bertha’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Joshua Ehli as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Dickinson.
Bertha B. Marx was born March 8, 1919, at Lefor, the daughter of John and Therisia (Dengel) Marx. She was raised and educated, and graduated from high school in St. Paul, Minn.
Bertha married Frank Schank, Sr. on July 15, 1939 in Glendive, Mont. They farmed in the Lefor area, where she was active in the St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, and a member of the Christian Mothers. The family moved to Dickinson in 1965, where she worked for the Green Stamp Store for many years. She was an active volunteer, having taken care of the Mardi Gras bookkeeping for several years, helping out at the Amen Food Pantry and the Joachim Museum.
Following their move to Dickinson, Frank had built various outdoor Christmas displays for all of the 10th Avenue West neighbors. Bertha was his other right hand, working closely with him on his many hobbies. She hand painted many of those signs and hosted neighborhood block parties when the displays were put out in early December. Both Frank and Bertha were delighted with the cities response on viewing the outdoor displays.
In the mid 1970’s they opened Four Seasons Trophies and Bertha did all of the engraving for the trophies and awards. After selling the trophy shop to John and June Peters, Frank once again became busy with building various woodworking items, with Bertha doing all of the painting for the various country crafts.
Her husband Frank died on June 15, 2001 and Bertha remained at home until failing eyesight caused her to move to Evergreen Retirement Inn in 2006, and eventually to CountryHouse in September of 2011.
Bertha is survived by her two children, Marguerite (Jerry) Harter, Chandler, Ariz., and Frank (Lorraine) Schank, Dickinson; grandchildren, Jess Harter, Chandler, Jill Harter, Gilbert, Ariz., Jay (Jennie) Harter, Lansing, Mich., Brent (Barb) Schank, Winsted, Minn., and Bryndon (Eric) Lembke, Eden Prairie, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Jacob Harter, Lansing, Jordan Harter, Scottsdale, Ariz., Connor and Camden Schank, Winsted, Avery and Evan Lembke, Eden Prairie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents; brothers, Mike and John Marx; sister, Betty Tomlinson; and granddaughter, Brooke Schank.
