Amsterdam 324: Grandma Passed

Bertha Marie Anderson Kartchner

My grandma passed away this last week. As is probably the case for most grandchildren, my grandma played a very important role in my life and she will be so very missed. 

My grandma was always there for me. We went to her house most every Sunday afternoon after church for dinner. Almost every time, she made mashed potatoes and I am sure that is where my love for mashed potatoes (with amazing gravy, and corn on top) came from. She never judged us for how much we ate. I remember sitting down to a breakfast once with two of my cousins. 40 french toast later, we were about to be full, and grandma hadn't taken a single bite.

I don't think that I ever paid for a haircut until I went on my mission. She was so faithful and willing to cut my hair whenever I wanted or needed. I didn't realize at the time, but I would come to relish those moments, mostly because after my mission, there wasn't hair enough left to have cut. And so ended those special times with grandma while getting my hair cut. 

My cousin Amy said something that really touched me at the funeral. My grandma had a way of making every one of her grandchildren feel that they were the most important person to her in her life. I know that I felt like I had a special connection with her where I always felt that I was her favorite. But she was able to have this same connection with each of her 16 grandchildren. We all felt so very important around her. Boy how it crushed by sole when I found out she loved us all the same. But deep inside, I know she loved me the most. 

I am going to miss this wonderful woman. But I am so happy that she has been able to be reunited with the love of her life. And I know that we will be together on the other side of the veil. 

Thank you grandma for everything that you have done for me. 

April 18, 1926 ~ June 5, 2016

Bertha Marie Anderson Kartchner peacefully passed away on June 5, 2016. She was born on April 18, 1926 in Taylor, Utah, to Joseph A and Katherine Potter Anderson. She married Orrin Karl Kartchner, Jr. on October 25, 1946. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple. They raised five sons.

She graduated from Weber High School. She held many positions in the LDS Church starting as a Sunday School Teacher at age 16. She served in the Ward and Stake Primary for almost 50 yrs, nine as President.

She wrote three family history books. She and Orrin served in the Family History Library for 14 years. She had a talent for sewing and cooking. Many are the recipients of her beautiful quilts, homemade pickles and cookies. She was generous and kind. She always made time to listen to others and serve unselfishly.

She is survived by her sons, Glenn (Debbi), Lloyd (Myra), Wayne (Jackie) and Val; brother, Vernal (Valoy) Anderson; 16 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son, Dale; daughter-in-law, Julie; sister, Louise Wise; and brothers, Irvan, Hyalmar and Keith Anderson.