Magdalena "Maggie" Bertsch

Magdalena “Maggie” Bertsch, 94, of Watertown, SD, Formerly of Ellendale ND, was called to be with the Lord on April 18, 2020. Maggie (Schock) Bertsch was born on March 5th, 1926 in rural Kulm, ND in McIntosh County. The daughter of Christ and Rosina (Rott) Schock. She was baptized on June 6th, 1926 by Rev. D Bergstedt, and was confirmed in the Christian faith on August 9th, 1945 at Forbes, ND Bethlehem Lutheran Church by Rev. Henry Fry. She attended school to the 8th Grade. On October 29th, 1944 she married Harry Bertsch at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Rev. Henry Fry officiating. For many years the couple lived and farmed in rural Forbes. It was to this union their three girls were born. In 1976 the couple retired and moved into Ellendale. During those years in Ellendale she was an active member at Zion Lutheran Church, member of the Legion Post 137 auxiliary and for nine years she worked at the Cabin West in Ellendale. You could often find her tending her yard, mowing the lawn and she enjoying her flowers, especially petunias. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and making many German meals, especially dumplings and Kuchen when her family would come to visit. Harry passed away in May 2015.The couple was married 70 years. In July 2016 she moved to Watertown, SD into Maple Place independent living Center where she made her home and enjoyed the new friends that she met there. When family would visit there was most certainly a friendly game of “the marbles game” AKA, “Aggravation” played before cookies and ice-cream were enjoyed. On January 17th, 2020 she moved across the street to Jenkins Nursing Home where she lived her last days. Grateful for having shared her life are her loving family: her three daughters, Wilma (Tim) Fox, Watertown, SD; Connie Fox (Barry Rodman), Highmore, SD and Kathleen (Robert) Bennett, Fargo, ND. Six Grandchildren: Debra (Brad) Sanders; Paul (Jill) Fox, both of Watertown, SD; Christine (Steven) Peterson, Fullerton, ND; John (Jodi) Klipfel, Ellendale, ND; Nicholas (Danielle) Bennett, San Antonio, TX; Sarah Bennett, West Fargo, ND. Eleven Great-Grandchildren: Jennifer (Brandon) Soupir; Jordan (Serkout) Aware; Madison and Olivia Fox; Preston, Nathan and Abigail Peterson; Kara Klipfel; Tyler Gerke; Katelyn and Travis Bennett. Four Great-great Grandchildren: Brooklyn Withers, Mallory and Easton Soupir and Aliya Aware. Brother Arvin Schock, Modesto, CA. She is also survived by sisters-in-law: Darlene Schock, Betty Hagen, and Francis Priebe. Maggie was preceded in death, by her husband, parents and sisters Ida and Bertha and brother’s Henry, Fred, Benjamin, Gottlieb, Art, Elmer and several infant siblings. There will be a private family service with Pastor Paul Preus officiating. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale, ND.