Bertha "Bertie" Woodward

Bertie was born September 12, 1930 in Sterling, Colorado to Elmer and Grace Hollinger. She spent her early years in Brush, Colorado. Her family moved to the small community of Snyder, Colorado, where she attended Snyder schools from 4th grade through the middle of her senior year, when she transferred to Fort Collins High School.

She married Russell "Rusty" E. Woodward December 22, 1948. They honeymooned in Tijuana, Mexico, along with the Preacher and his wife, her brother Bob, and Rusty’s brother John. The drive home from Mexico and California was on the tail end of the '49 blizzard.

Following Rusty’s graduation from Colorado A&M, now CSU, they went back to the family farm northwest of Snyder for seven years. And productive years they were! It was during this time they welcomed daughters, Carolyn in 1950, Nicolee "Nicki" in 1953, and Sharon "Sherrie" in 1956.

In the fall of 1957 Rusty attended Dallas Theological Seminary. Bertie was employed by the local library during that time. After Rusty’s graduation from the Seminary, the family moved to Cortez, Colorado where Rusty started and built his first church. A move to North Platte, Nebraska followed, then Torrington, Wyoming, and finally Fort Collins, Colorado, where they called home. Bertie spent her time teaching Sunday school classes, VBS, and singing in the choir along with a few secretary jobs. Once the girls were grown, Bertie attended writing and book clubs and finally fulfilled her desire to write. She had three books published in her 60s.

Bertie was a strong independent woman, taking charge when Rusty’s health began to fail. She took on the responsibilities of the home, and even drove herself to the hospital on her last day on this earth. She was devoted to her family and faith, and will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband Rusty and her daughter Carolyn Casselberry McCormick. Survivors include her daughters Nicki Heft (Eric) of Norwalk, Iowa, and Sharon O’Hare (Leo) of Kimball, Nebraska; six grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren; and and her sister Irene Vancil of Brush, Colorado.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 24th at 2:00 PM at The City of Fort Collins Senior Center, Prairie Sage Room 1, 1200 Raintree Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80526. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Preston Ranch Ministries, PO Box 44, Roggen, CO 80652.

Please leave memories and condolences for the family online at www.AllnuttLoveland.com.