Bertha Ida Hegel

Bertha Ida Hegel, 92, of Great Falls, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023.

A viewing will be held at 12:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. A reception following the graveside service at Eagles from 3-6 p.m.

Bertha was born on a farm twelve miles north of Dodge, ND on June 23, 1930, to Theobold and Lenchen Weidner. Her family moved to Glendive, MT in 1942. On December 1, 1951, she married Matthew Hegel in Glendive. The Hegel family moved to Great Falls, MT in 1960. They divorced in 1977.

She was a stay-at-home mom for much of her life but she did work in the cafeteria at Longfellow Elementary School for 15 years, retiring in 1996. She did volunteer work for St. Joseph Catholic Church. When they wanted Bertha to bake something, they would call and she would deliver.

Bertha was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She enjoyed walking, playing, Pinochle with her church group, yard work, and being around her kids and grandkids. She enjoyed Friday afternoons with her daughters. On Friday afternoons she would get her hair done then spend the afternoon with her daughters and friends. Bertha loved Fridays.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Theobolt and Lenchen; sisters, Louise, Norma, Viola, and Diane; brothers, Albert, William (Billie), and Ernest; son-in-law, Dan Jewett; and her special friend and companion, Chuck Hendrickson.

Bertha is survived by her children; Roger (Julie) Hegel, Janice Klein, Renee Jewett, and Mark Hegel; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and siblings Lorraine Ludwig, Delores Sable, Mardella Spigen, Marie Bondervant, and Gerald Weidner.

There is nothing that can prepare us for the loss of a parent. She passed unexpectedly and quickly, but her spirit will live on. She will be sorely missed and will be loved forever.