Bertha E. Gjerde Tangen, 95, Minot, formerly of rural Glenburn, died Sunday, August 9, 2009, in a Minot hospital.

Bertha was born October 17, 1913, on the family farm near Glenburn, ND, the daughter of Waldemar and Augusta (Wolter) Appel. She was raised in Tatman Township of Ward County, attended Tatman Township schools, and was baptized and confirmed at Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church. She and her sister, Erna, moved to Minot during their younger years and did housework for a number of area families.

Bertha was united in marriage to I.R. "Ing" Gjerde in December of 1935. They made their home in Minot for several years. They lived on a farm SE of Minot for a short time before moving to another farm in the area where they resided until 1972. Throughout the years, Bertha worked at Purity Dairy for nine years and then with City Bakery as a clerk, until she left to care for her husband, who was ill. He died February 24, 1972. After his death, she moved into Minot where she worked for Sears in the drapery department for nine years. After the shop closed, she did sewing work for Betty Rodriguez.

Bertha was united in marriage to Art Tangen on October 30, 1982. He died January 19, 1983. She continued to live in Minot, where she enjoyed the company of her two daughters and their families, her sister Erna, and her extended family. Bertha enjoyed living her last ten years at Edgewood Vista.

Bertha was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where she was active in the Martha Circle. She enjoyed gardening and was an expert lefse maker. She knit many pairs of mittens and made quilts and afghans for her family. She served as the treasurer for the Bell School District for more than twenty years. Bertha was a 4-H leader for 18 years. She was also a member of the Valley Homemakers Club and Country Dozen Homemakers Club.

Her loving family includes: Children: Donna (Vern) Stevick, Des Lacs, Karen (Larry) Shaffner, Minot;Step-daughter: Sharon Morey, Minot; Grandchildren: Quentin (Anne) Stevick, Coreen (Kirby) Ball, Lisa Shafranski, Michelle (Stephen Geffre) Shaffner, and Christopher (Cindy) Shaffner; Great-Grandchildren: Bryce Ball, Lauren Shafranski, and Abagail and Samuel Geffre;Sister: Erna Knight; several nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Ing and Art, and brothers Harry, Dan, Arnold, and Lawrence.

Funeral service: Thursday, August 13, 2009, at 10:30a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot;
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot;
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00-7:00pm at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot;
Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Organ Fund.