This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Bertha Katherina Brooks, 85, passed away September 1, 2017, in Longmont, Colorado. She was the wife of William Richard Brooks.
She was born Bertha Katherina Berndt on March 9, 1932, in Holly, Colorado. She was the fourth child of Jacob and Anita Berndt. Her siblings were Richard Jacob (deceased), Loreen Bessie, Doris Alberta (deceased), and Lois Jeanne.
Bertha grew up on a farm in Colorado during the great depression. The family initially lived in dugout housing near Westcliffe, Colorado, but soon moved into a house south of Westcliffe. Bertha attended a school near the family house. The remains of the dugout housing and the school foundation can still be seen near Westcliffe. After High School, Bertha attended Nursing Training and graduated as a registered nurse. She was employed in various western Colorado hospitals.
Bertha married James Ferguson and they lived in the Denver area. They had four sons and one daughter: John, Mark, Paul, Steve and Kathy. Later in life, John married Jackie, Mark married Christy, and Paul married Christy. Paul and Kathy are deceased.
Bertha and James lived in the Colorado Rocky Mountains where they developed a love for mountain four-wheeling, river rafting, and hot air ballooning. Bertha enjoyed traveling to various parts of the world.
When her husband James died at 54 years of age, Bertha became President of Ball Variometers Company (several of her sons worked for the company also.) They manufactured instruments for hot air balloons and paragliders.
Bertha had a love for art, creating many porcelain dolls, painting, and decorating clothing.
Bertha moved to Niwot, Colorado, where she was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She attended church in Longmont and became active in the church’s Single Adults program. During a Christmas program at the church, she met William Richard Brooks. They cherished their relationship that became a loving marriage. They lived in Longmont, Colorado. Their marriage brought into Bertha’s life the children of Richard Brooks and their respective spouses - Karen & Randy Voss, Bill & Brenda Brooks, Janet & Robert Jay, Cathleen & Chuck Irons, Stephen & Allison Brooks, David & Jessica Brooks, and Jonathan Brooks. Bertha enjoyed her relationships with them and their children.
Together, Richard and Bertha traveled to many different parts of the world where they visited England, Ireland, Scotland, Europe, New Zealand, and many parts of the United States. They enjoyed numerous four-wheel jeep trips and steam train trips in the Colorado Mountains. Ballroom dancing became a fun part of their life together - they became a very accomplished dancing couple. Richard and Bertha also enjoyed developing their artistic skills in digital photography.
In 2016 Bertha suffered a stroke which resulted in her being admitted to a long-term care facility in Longmont, Colorado, where she passed away September 1, 2017.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, September 8, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2200 West 11th Avenue, Longmont, Colorado.
The Longmont Observer would like to thank Carrol-Lewellen for providing this obituary.
