Bertha Sailer

Graveside Service for Bertha Sailer, 97, will be held Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. CST in Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Hazen, ND.


A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. CST at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND.


Bertha passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at St. Benedict’s Health Care Center in Dickinson, ND.


Bertha (Becker) Sailer was born July 6, 1915 to Philip & Rosina (Flemmer) Becker. She was raised and educated in the Beulah area. On March 3, 1935, Bertha was married to Carl Sailer at Zion Lutheran Church in Beulah. Carl was a neighbor and the couple had known each other for years as they attended the same church and took part in the same community activities. After their wedding, Bertha and Carl operated a farm near Beulah and in 1944 they purchased a farm North of Hazen. They built up the farmstead, planted trees, built roads, and developed an artesian well. In 1976, they bought a retirement home in Hazen. After Carl’s death in 1990, Bertha relocated to Bismarck and enjoyed ten plus years at Marillac Manor in Bismarck. In her later years, she moved to Dickinson’s St. Benedicts Health Care Center, closer to her son Delvin and family. She so enjoyed the loving care she received from the staff and chaplains at St. Benedicts. Two children were born to Carl and Bertha: daughter, Shirley Ann who is married to the Rev. William Gutknecht, living in Port Hueneme, California; son, the late Delvin Sailer, who was married to Joan Riegel, residing in Dickinson. Bertha delighted in her grandchildren: Beth (Gutknecht) Medina, Oxnard, CA; Sharmon (Gutknecht) Kinser, La Mesa, CA; Mark Sailer, Fargo; Dina (Sailer) Maas, Hazen; Ryan Sailer, Minneapolis, MN; and five great grandchildren. Bertha loved her family dearly and was extremely proud of her grandchildren. Bertha enjoyed cooking, baking, entertaining family and friends. She was an active member of her churches in Beulah, Hazen, Bismarck and Women of the Church organization. She served as 4-H leader when her children were at home. Bertha delighted in music and song which complimented her faith in her gracious God, hospitality, sense of humor and visits with family and friends. She looked forward to playing board games and cards.


Bertha is survived by her daughter, three sisters: Frieda (Becker) Mittelsteadt, Ida (Becker) Mittelsteadt, Esther (Becker) Schalkle and a number of nieces and nephews, who remember her fondly.


Preceding Bertha in death were her husband Carl, her son Delvin, two sisters Rose and Helen Sailer, three half sisters Louise Merkel Sailer, Anna Bauer & Lydia Bunk, Two brothers, Philip and Jake Becker, and two half brothers, Reinhold Becker and Carl Merkel.


Bertha’s family is grateful for her Christian faith and love and for her confidence in the hope in the risen Christ who promised to her: “Because I live, you too shall live.”


In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Benedict’s Health Care Center in Dickinson, ND.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: November 17, 2012