Bertha F. Howell-Friis

Visitation: Friday, July 27, 2007 from 4 8pm Lemke Funeral Homes Lyons Chapel, 2304 North Second St. Funeral Services: Saturday, July 28, 2007 10:00am Lyons Methodist Church 2118 North Second Street Bertha Frances Howell-Friis, 88, died July 23rd at Wyndcrest Care Facility, in Clinton, IA. She was born January 4, 1919 in Zwingle, IA to Harmon and Eunice (Edwards) Howell. Bertha attended school in Clinton and Millville, Wisconsin. She married Eugene L. Friis on March 4, 1938 at Lyons Methodist Church Parsonage in Clinton, IA where her membership remains and where her life will be celebrated. Rev Christine Heilig will be officiating, with burial at Springdale Cemetery. Eugene (Gene) died May 7, 1991. She is survived by four children: Rosalie Friis-Ross of Los Angeles, CA, Delbert Friis of Camanche, Kaywyn Byram of Santa Teresa, NM and Rita (Richard) Holm of Clinton, Nine Grandchildren: Todd (Jana) Friis, Molly (Jason) Kaczinski, Heather (Trevor) Bulten, Kristine (Jake) Provencio, Gretchen Byram, Peter (Christiana) Holm, Elizabeth (Greg) VanDusseldorp and Erika Holm, and Ten Great Grandchildren: Ivy and Evan VanDusseldorp, Nastassja and Paul Richard Holm, Chase Provencio, Sophia and Max Kaczinski, Tessa and Theron Bulten and Natalie Friis. Bertha was an ambitious, gregarious woman a natural saleswoman selling World Book and Amway, exceeding at her job with Welcome Wagon (1965 1980) which expanded to her own business Gateway Greeting (1981 2004). Her volunteer work included the American Cancer Society, where she also served as the office secretary. For many years she volunteered for the Northend Food Pantry at Grace Episcopal Church. She was an active member of Lyons Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School. She was proud to be a member of the Clinton Womens Club, caretakers of the George M. Curtis Mansion, and included its history in her on-going quest of promoting Clinton as a great place to live. Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three sisters and eight brothers. Memorials can be made to the George Curtis Mansion Foundation or Lyons Methodist Church. Online condolences can be made at www.lemkefuneralhome.net