Bertha A. McCall

87, passed away on Tuesday, February 25. She is preceded by son Raymond McCall. Our father Jess. Her brothers John and Leonard. She is survived by her children, Jeannie Mills, Larry McCall, Barbara Petro, Randall McCall, Jerry McCall, Trenton McCall, Robert McCall; grandchildren, Michael Campbell, Michelle Johnson, Matthew, Campbell, Jenny Miguel, Scott McCall, Elizabeth Carbonella, John Petro, Joshua McCall, Sarah Funkhouser, Jeremy Johnson, Joseph Johnson; 15 great grandchildren and brother David Koop. Visitation, 2 – 4 pm, Sunday, March 2 at Olinger Highland Mortuary, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, CO. Funeral service, 10:30 am, Monday, March 3 at Tri-City Baptist Church, 6953 W 92nd Lane, Broomfield, CO. Burial to follow at Olinger Highland Cemetery.

Bertha was born June 7, 1926 in Joes Colorado to Jacob and Sarah Koop joining older brothers Dave and John. They lived in a sod house east of Joes. When Bertha was 4 her mother Sarah died after giving birth to her younger brother Leonard. It was the beginning of the great depression and historic Midwest dustbowl and her father had to make very difficult decisions regarding his family. He needed work and a Mennonite community in Fresno California offered both a job and fellowship. Bertha and Leonard were left in the care of their aunt and uncle, Herman and Anna Warkenten. Bertha grew up in Joes attending the Mennonite Church east of Joes, being part of a large family she enjoyed family events because it meant being able to spend time with Lena: her favorite aunt.

In 1945 she graduated from high school with a scholarship to Tabor college. But because of situations beyond her control she did not go. The country was now in the midst of World War II and homeland folks had to become creative. She attended teacher training in Greeley and was given a “ Colorado Special War emergency certificate for teaching” she was assigned to a one-room schoolhouse teaching all grade levels. Mom spoke often and with fondness of those 4 years, teaching, caring and sharing giving of herself; truly her gifts.

Thru her teaching she met her future husband Jess McCall, she taught his younger siblings Mom married Jess McCall in May 1950, continuing to teach even after their first child Ray was born.

And, as my mom liked to tell people, “I was married in 1950 and had 8 children in eleven years, 1951, 52, 53, 55, 57, 59, 60, and 62.” During these years her family lived in and around Yuma, CO. Jess then went to work for Mahar Bonnie Construction, which led to moves to Lamar, Holly, and Granby.

Decisions were made at that point and my mom found herself a single parent with 8 children living in Arvada, CO. It was a very hard and befuddling time for mom dealing with the all challenges her new situation entailed. But mom’s gentle spirit, her caring, giving and forgiving attitude moved us forward. She chose to be content (Philippians 4:11) was her motto Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.

Many times during those years I am sure she went to bed at night with the weight of the world on her shoulders. God provided. Fern, a neighbor, was a source of help and encouragement for my mom during those years. It was also at that time that our family became involved with First Baptist Church of Arvada, now known as Tri-City Baptist Church.

In 1967, In order to have a house for us all to live in, We moved to Morrison, CO. Thanksgiving weekend of 1967, when returning from a visit to Yuma, we were in a major car accident. Even in the midst of the chaos of having five of her children as well as herself in the hospital, Bertha persevered. Mom would later say that it was through that car accident that the Lord provided the money for her to purchase a permanent home for her family. So we moved again, now to a home on 74th and Utica Streets in Westminster.

It was at that time that Bertha went to work for Ridge State Home and Training School. It was extremely hard and tiring work, yet each evening coming home to another full time job – feeding, caring for, and managing a household with little time and few resources. I don’t know how she managed. Many times we had extra people at the table, if a person needed a meal or a place to be they were welcomed.

During the years in this house five of her eight children moved out and on in their lives, but all remained close. even if they were lived far away choosing to be home for holidays and special events as much as possible

In the late 70’s Bertha was medically retired from Ridge State Home. She and her three youngest children moved to 92nd and Federal. Mom may have been medically retired but due to financial needs she continued working. She found a job at the “Nickelodeon Arcade” in the old Westminster Mall. Her grandchildren loved visiting her there. There Grandma had “a way cool job”. Many of the kids who frequented the arcade looked to her as a 2nd Mom, bringing in report cards and sharing events in there day. Mom loved her job there.

Bertha grew up in the church and encouraged her children to do the same but it was not until the early 1980s that she came to rest in the knowledge of who she was in Christ. His complete love and forgiveness for her was the hallmark of who she was from that point on. Being a Christian and living out those principles were as natural to her as taking the next breath.

After all her children had moved on into adulthood, Mom moved on as well. From 1884 to 86 she lived with her son Randy and his family. In 1987 Mom came to live with me and my family in Colorado Springs and then joined us in a move Maryland, her first time living out of her beloved state of Colorado. She was amazed by all the trees and green of the east coast and loved exploring the history, the cities, forests and farmlands of the mid-Atlantic region. George Washington’s home of Mount Vernon was her favorite. Those years she served in the Howard County Jail Ministry, grading inmates Bible Study lessons: writing notes of encouragement back to them and praying for them. Her grandchildren, Beth and JJ loved having their ‘grammy’ living with us. She in turn loved spoiling them.

Mom returned to Colorado in 1990

She moved to an apartment in Marcella Manor on Wadsworth Blvd where she spent the next 22 years. While there she managed the resident gift shop for 15 years. Being a hall monitor and caring for others, she was a caregiver.

She returned to Tri-City Baptist working with the Awana program and with the Young at Heart senior ministry…….All this activity was combined with babysitting her many grandchildren and preparing dinners for her “boys” as she always referred to her six sons, as well as anyone one else who need food or friendship. She enjoyed making afghan’s for anyone and everyone.

This is the time her ministry of prayer began: praying for her children, a grandchildren (and great grandchildren), for her pastors and the many missionaries her church supported, knowing them all by name and where they served. She remained happy and content although things were not perfect –there were many family issues and concerns. But again she chose to concentrate on the positive. relying on her trust in God and to many people quoted Phillippians 4:11

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

In 2009 Jesse the father of her 8 children passed away,

In 2010 her oldest son Ray passed away. It is never easy for a mother to loose child and it wasn’t easy for Bertha. But she hung on to the promise of one day seeing him again.

In the spring of 2011 she admitted to the hospital for quite a few days and this truly was the first episode of a gradual decline for my Mom …she returned to Marcella manor and tried to pick up her life as it was before. But things had changed for her and it was not an easy change. Her wish was to stay in her home at Marcella but by the next spring and more hospital stays we all knew it was time she needed more help. She was not happy about moving but the Lord graciously directed us to Expempla Lutheran assisted living where Bertha lived for the last 2 years. She grew to love her little apartment and the people who cared for her. She could no longer crochet or read so once again Bertha made adjustments in her life and chose to be content. She continued praying for her family, her pastors and many missionaries around the world but also then included the people who cared for her. Her puzzle books and her drawing pads became a way to fill her days. One thing that Mom was known for at Exempla was her kind and forgiving ways. These were frustrating times for her and sometimes she would “ be a bit grumpy” but always..when she saw that person again.. would ask for forgiveness and give them a kiss. It brought smiles to the staff and that was something that they shared with us. As Jeannie reminded her one day Mom it is your job to Brighten the corner where you are. And she tried very hard to do that.

Mom often spoke of her desire to go home and be with the LORD. And her frustration with the delay. Her days were long and she was tired. Many times we reminded her that God had a reason for her to still be here . That there were still good works for her to do. Her comment to me one day was: I wish he would just give me a list so I could get them all checked off. That is not how God works and He took her home to be with him in his timing not ours.

One of my Moms last days here on earth she witnessed of HIM. A last work to complete: Requesting of her hospice worker to read the daily bread and scripture to her when she did her rounds. This young woman shared that her family was just beginning there walk with God and she was having a hard time trying to find time to read Gods word each day and that this must be an answer to her pray, a way for her to fit it in her life. Mom promised to pray for her and her family. God is in the details of our lives and even when Mom could do very little he never stop using her.

Her death on Tuesday evening February 25th ended her journey here and began the adventure she had be longing for: Being Jesus her Lord and Savior. I will surely all miss her more than I probably realize at this moment. My siblings and I rejoice in knowing that she is walking straight and tall in heaven today or maybe even skipping and dancing. But I do know that she is wondering why we are all making such a fuss about this.

My Mom Bertha Ann Koop McCall. A Child of the King!