Bertha Velma Mars

Bertha Velma Mars, 79, of Rockford, IA died Monday, September 23, 2019 at MercyOne North Iowa. A visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, 21 3rd St NW, Rockford, IA. A graveside service will be immediately following at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford with Pastor Dennis Burns officiating.

Bertha was born on Feb. 3, 1940 near Charles City, IA to Grant and Lavina Perry. She was one of thirteen children and was raised and attended school in the Charles City area. For most of her life, she worked at Easter’s Bakery in Charles City. For the last 36 years, she was a resident of Rockford with her husband James “Jim,” Mars whom predeceased her.

Bertha’s most recent occupation was working as a groundskeeper at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

In her free time she really enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Bertha was an excellent cook and known for her homemade chicken noodle soup and playing card games with her grandkids. She was especially good at baking cookies and traditionally cooked and brought food to all the family reunions.

Bertha absolutely loved horses and had many fond memories with horses throughout her lifetime. She was also fond of a family cat named Cuddles.

She will be remembered for her very caring and loving demeanor and a bit of stubbornness she possessed; which made her strong willed and determined to be a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

Those left to cherish her memory include children: JoAnn Rosenbaum, Janice Rosenbaum, Jay Rosenbaum and Roger (Cathy) Berk; siblings: Helen, Jane, Darlene, Pauline, Carol and Sharon; grandchildren Tomas and Elaxys and many other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband James Mars; parents; siblings: Bill, Fred, John, Judy, Jeanette, Mary and Joy Bell.

Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 West Main, Rockford, Iowa, 50468; 641-756-3311; www.Fullertonfh.com.