Bertha “Bert” Sylvester

Obituary

Bertha “Bert” Edna Sylvester was born on January 21, 1935, in Johnsonville Township, Redwood County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Lawrence and Edna (Engstrom) Wille. Bert was baptized as an infant on March 31, 1935, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on March 21, 1948, both at Johnsonville Lutheran Church in Lucan, Minnesota. She received her education in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, and was a graduate of the Walnut Grove High School Class of 1952. Bert furthered her education at Union Hospital in New Ulm and graduated with her Practical Nurses Degree.

On July 2, 1955, Bert was united in marriage to Douglas Sylvester at Johnsonville Lutheran Church in Lucan, Minnesota. After their marriage, they were dairy farmers in Alfsborg Township, Sibley County, Minnesota. Bert and Doug were blessed with two daughters, Vickie and Mary. Bert was employed as a nurse at the Gaylord Hospital, Gaylord Clinic and in medical records at the Arlington Hospital, retiring in 2009. They shared 52 years of marriage when Doug passed away on January 17, 2008.

Bert was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord. She volunteered in the kitchen at Immanuel Lutheran School.

Bert enjoyed her family, gardening, dancing, crafts, embroidering, making Christmas stockings, quilting and jigsaw puzzles.

When she needed assistance with her daily care, Bert became a resident of Bayside Manor, formerly Oak Terrace Health Care, in Gaylord and passed away there on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at the age of 87 years. Blessed be her memory.

Bert is survived by her:
Daughters,       Vickie Hanson and her husband, Alan of Mankato, MN, and
                        Mary Anderson Harris and her husband, Rodney of Lakeville, MN;
Grandchildren, Matthew Anderson and his wife, Alicia of Lakeville, MN, and Abby Kendrick and her husband, Cody of Elko New Market, MN;
Great-grandchildren, Kate and Finley Kendrick;
Sisters, Carol Hulke of Bloomington, MN, Marlene Rolloff and her husband, Elmer of New Ulm, MN, Shirley Hill of Palmer, AK;
Sister-in-law, Darla Wille of Tracy, MN;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bert was preceded in death by her Parents, Lawrence and Edna Wille; Husband, Douglas Sylvester; Son-in-law, Edward Anderson; Brother, Melvin Wille; Sister-in-law, Elaine Tomczak; Brothers-in-law, Ralph Hulke, Charlie Timons, Robert Hill, Edward Tomczak.