Bertha Blomme

Bertha Madeline (Haneca) Blomme was born on December 3, 1915, in Ghent, MN, to Camiel and Leona (Van Parijs) Haneca. She grew up in rural Ivanhoe where she attended country school. On May 22, 1940, she was united in marriage to Marcel Blomme. Bertha supported Marcel in his Masonry business until his death on September 18, 1962. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, was active in the Ladies Guild, and a board member involved in establishing the Holy Redeemer Foundation. She loved playing cards, bingo and volunteering as a greeter at the Senior Citizen Center. Sewing, gardening and baking were some of her favorite pastimes. She was appreciated throughout the years by her elderly neighbors for her generosity and caregiving. Family members and friends looked forward to the holiday sharing of her delicious Belgian Waffle Cookies. Her family will always remember the love, energy and devotion she extended to her children and grandchildren. Bertha died on Monday, September 19, 2011, at the Bethany Home of Alexandria. She is survived by her children Francis (Alice) Blomme of Dudley, NC, Helen (Pete) Gareri of Plymouth, Irma (Tom) Cattoor of Alexandria, Nancy (Jim) Brandt of Burnsville, Richard (Jean) Blomme of Marshall, twelve grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, her brother Joe (Margaret) Haneca, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marcel, and 4 siblings; Andrew (Jackie)Haneca, Alma (John) Fligge, John (Kate) Haneca and Elizabeth Haneca.