Bertha L. Otteson

Bertha Lenora Otteson, 98, of Moorhead, MN, formerly of Wolverton, MN, died Monday, July 22, 2013, in Eventide Lutheran Home. Bertha was born to Ole and Josephine Prevost Otteson on April 22, 1915, the youngest of ten children. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Sena Opoien, Olga Stevenson, Annie Ness, Walter Otteson, William Otteson, Winnie Miller, Elizabeth Stockwell, Arnold Otteson and Bert Otteson.

Bertha spent her life just northeast of Wolverton on the farm where she was born, eventually becoming the caregiver for her parents. She and her two youngest brothers became farm operators. She was active in both church and community.

Bertha’s greatest satisfaction and comfort was her music and her church; she was well known for her musicianship, playing both organ and piano. She took advantage of organ seminars and further education. She gave lessons, directed the children’s choir, accompanied vocalists and instrumentalists. One of her vocalist groups was the quartet formed by her four brothers, Walter, William, Arnold and Bert.
Her love for music came early on. As a small child she often propped up an old hymnal on the dining room window sill, and used the sill as a pretend keyboard. One of her favorites was “Beulah Land.” When she was in second grade, she received her first lesson on an old organ. Those first notes were taught from her brother Arnold’s clarinet lesson. Bertha was 13 in 1928 when she began playing a pump reed organ for the Norwegian Lutheran Church not far from her family’s farm. Later in 1998, she was honored by the congregation, now Faith Lutheran Church in the town of Wolverton, for her 70 years as the organist for the congregation.

Bertha had 30 nieces and nephews whom she often welcomed to the farm home with the always present pot of coffee and accompanying treats. Over the years she enjoyed the many Otteson Family Reunions, some of which were held at the Wolverton farm.

The funeral will be held on Friday, August 2, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., in Faith Lutheran Church, Wolverton, MN. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment will be in Wolverton Cemetery.