Obit: Wojner, Bertha R. #2 (1919 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Dusek, Lingen, Miller, Miller, Rozek, Shipelbaum, Wojner, Zimmerman

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 12/07/2017

Wojner, Bertha R. (Shipelbaum) (5 APR 1919 - 1 DEC 2017)

Bertha R. Wojner, 98, formerly of Stanley, died Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, at Clark County Living and Rehabilitation Center in Owen.

Bertha was born April 5, 1919, in Chicago, Ill. She was the second of three children born to Stanley and Lina (Rozek) Shipelbaum. When Bertha graduated from grade school, her mother accepted an invitation from Harold and Alma Miller, relatives in Withee, to come live with them. Harold and Alma were Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was from them that Bertha learned precious Bible truths which caused her to dedicate her life to Jehovah God and be baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 5, 1941.

While still quite young, Bertha traveled back to Chicago to be a companion to a 12-year-old girl. She continued in this work for a few years and later worked at odd jobs until she was accepted as a long-distance operator at the Illinois Bell Telephone Company. In 1949, she was recognized as “Miss Voice of Office 2.” The qualities she was judged on at that time included, “being clear-voiced, courteous, helpful, interested, unhurried and natural.” All who knew her would agree that those qualities continued with her all of her life.

On Oct. 18, 1952, she married Henry Wojner of Stanley at the courthouse in Neillsville. Henry was also one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was a farmer, and it was not easy for this 33-year-old city girl to adjust to farm life. But she worked hard and they farmed together for 50 years. The farm was a welcoming place and generations of friends and relatives have many precious memories of time spent there with Uncle Hank and Aunt Bertha.

Although busy with the farm, Henry and Bertha spent time every week talking to their neighbors about God’s Kingdom and the Paradise earth soon to come. As a member of the Thorp Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Bertha continued in this activity right up until her death.
When the farm became too difficult for Henry to care for, they sold it and moved to Morgan Plaza in Thorp. In 2006 they moved to Oakbrook Health and Rehabilitation in Thorp and then, in September of 2008, they made their home at Clark County Living and Rehabilitation Center in Owen.

She is survived on her husband’s side by three nephews and one niece in Abbotsford, Jerry, Roger, Mark and Wendy Wojner; and three nieces and two nephews in Illinois, Arlene Meyer, Roberta Dusek, Patsy Zimmerman, Terry Lingen and Jeff Lingen and their families.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; and her two brothers, Henry and Albert.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home, 203 N. 4th St., Abbotsford. Visitation will be held from noon until the time of the service.

Bertha’s family would like to express grateful appreciation to the caring staff at Clark County Living and Rehabilitation Center who made Bertha a part of their family.