Bertha D. (Tongish) Unger

Sept. 10, 1912- Nov. 29, 2007

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Bertha "Bert" D. Tongish Unger, 95, of Lakewood, Colo., passed away on Nov. 29, 2007, at the Villa Manor Nursing Home.

She was born in Herndon on Sept. 10, 1912, to Andrew and Elizabeth (Hafner) Tongish.

Bertha married Ed Unger April 19, 1934, at St. Mary's Church in Herndon. The couple lived on a farm north of Herndon until 1967, when they moved to McCook where they both worked for Southwest Bell until 1990. They moved to Parrish Care Assisted living home in Yuma, Colo., in 2000. Bert was taken to Villa Manor Nursing Home, Lakewood, Colo., in December of 2005, after falling and breaking her hip.

The love of Bert's life was being a good mother, grandmother and a housewife while helping out on the farm and also helping Ed after they moved to McCook. Her fondest times were spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to swim weekly at the YMCA. She also loved to fish, play bingo, cards, playing her piano / fun machine, and enjoyed flowers and birds.

Bert worked as a volunteer at the McCook Hospital for many years. She was also a member of the Christian mothers at St. Mary's Church in Herndon and St. Patrick's Church in McCook-.

Bert was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; her parents, Andrew and Elizabeth; one son, Kenneth; one granddaughter, Casey Jo Unger; two sons-in-law, Larry Barenberg and Jerry Williams; and twelve siblings, Mary O'Leary Lang, Elsie Tongish, Louella Bufman, Florence Westman, Herman Tongish, William Tongish, Andrew Tongish Jr., Edward Tongish, Ervin Tongish, Clarence Tongish, Ray Tongish and Roy Tongish with her being the last of thirteen.

She is survived by three sons, Charles and wife, Eileen, of Herndon, J.R. and wife, Carole of Yuma, Colo., Virgil and wife, Catherine of Henderson, Nev.; one daughter, Shirley Barenberg of Lakewood, Colo.; one daughter-in-law, Roma Murdock and husband, Bruce of Sierra Vista, Ariz.: 22 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Mass of Christian burial is today at 1 p.m., at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery

Memorials may be given in her name.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of arrangements.