MONTE VISTA—Bertha Louise Plane passed away June 4, 2017 with her loving family by her side.
Bertha was born May 19, 1935 to Mildred and Herman Beiriger. Her father passed away when she was a young child and her mother remarried Garhart “Gary” Stoeber, together they created a family consisting of 20 siblings.
She first met Harold (Bill) Plane in 1946 and married him on Oct. 30, 1952, shortly upon his return from military service; they shared 64 wonderful years and danced countless miles together, earning the name “the dancing Planes,” anyone who knew them knew how much they loved to dance, especially to their song “Silver Wings” and sharing the love of dancing with their children.
Bertha loved to cook, working several years at the livestock sale barn, La Garita Ranch and for the Monte Vista Schools Food Service Program for over 20 years retiring as the program manager.
She enjoyed many hobbies including; quilting, embroidering, fishing, camping, cooking and sewing. She took pride in each of her children and grandchildren, sewing wedding dresses, teaching the art of cake decorating and helping grandchildren with 4H projects, most importantly though, just spending time with them. She also enjoyed collecting musical Christmas decorations and had a life-long collection of salt and pepper shakers. Holiday dinners and family gatherings were a special joy to Bertha that she valued immensely. Bertha loved taking care of everyone she met.
Bertha was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her husband, Harold (Bill) Plane and their seven children: Darrel (Sue) Plane, Becky (Jim) Gerlock, Sandy (Lee) Jackson, Randy (Debbie) Plane, Herman (Nancy) Plane, Dixie Diltz and Darla (Lance Andersen) Plane. Bertha is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Russel Plane, Melissa Widger, Jennifer (Greg) Metz, Michael (Christy) Jackson, Jimmy Plane, Amanda (Michael) Napie, Patricia (Jason) Cody, Brandon (Tami) Plane, Katrina (Dylan) Brown, Justin (Jennafer) Rilling, Kandis (Anthony) Ortiz, Kerstin Rilling, Tyesha Keever, Joseph (Johanna) Malouff, Leah (Cody) Shawcroft, Averly Bradley along with 36 great-grandchildren.
Bertha is preceded in death by her parents, several siblings, three grandchildren, Melinda Widger, Shane Widger and Joshua Rilling, two great grandchildren: Nicholas Garcia and Bohan Plane and one son-in-law, Edward Diltz.
Viewing will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 at Strohmayer Funeral Home. Recitation of the rosary will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 8 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday June 9, also at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with private family internment at a later date. Services will be directed by Strohmayer’s Funeral Home.