Bertha C. Linnens

Bertha Marie Cain Linnens was born March 23, 1921 to Russell and Alma Cain on a farm south of Cedar Point, Kansas. She died on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the Kansas Christian Home in Newton.

She was the oldest of five children - three sisters, Roberta West, deceased, Eula Williams of Loveland, Colorado; and Willa Mae Laughlin of Eagle, Idaho; and one brother, Tom Cain of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Bertha graduated in 1939 from Cedar Point High School. When she as in the eighth grade, the school had an invitation party and she invited Ralph Linnens. Seven years later they were married on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941 in Florence. Their honeymoon was spent moving to Kansas City where Ralph had taken a job with the IRS. After Pearl Harbor, Ralph enlisted with the Navy, and was stationed for most of his active duty at the Naval Air Station in Olathe. During the six years they lived in Kansas City, Bertha worked in the Army finance office for the Social Security Administration. They loved their time in Kansas City where they easily made friends through work and church, and enjoyed taking the bus to various Kansas City sites, including the Plaza.

Ralph and Bertha had two sons, Maurice and Barry; born two years apart at Axtell Hospital in Newton. Bertha said her sons gave her some of her greatest joys, including five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Maurice and his wife, Rita, of Wichita have three children: Brian and his wife, Kami, and their three children Easton, Emerson and Beckett; Chris; and Melissa Riesgo and her husband, Josh.

Barry and his late wife, Linda, have two children: Kelly and wife, Julie, who have two children, Callie and Carson; and Amy Remington, and husband, Brad, who have two daughters, Payten and Avaree. Barry married, Carol Rupe, after Linda's death, and they live near Cedar Point.

In 1947, Ralph and Bertha purchased their interest in the Cedar Point State Bank and they were delighted to have the opportunity to move back home. The bank prospered, and when Ralph retired, his son, Barry continued managing the bank. The name was changed to Cottonwood Valley Bank to reflect the bank's expansion to include locations in Cedar Point, Florence, Cottonwood Falls and Lincolnville. Bertha's grandson, Kelly, works along side his dad.

Bertha worked alongside Ralph in the bank until their retirement in 1992. But retirement didn't mean the rocking chair! She served on the Cedar Point City Council; mayor for 12 years. She said her proudest moment as Mayor was putting in a city water system in the early 1990s. Also, during that time, she served as a member of the Chase County Main Street Committee, at which time the committee secured funds for new street lights in Cottonwood Falls. Bertha has been an active member of her community wherever she lived. She and Ralph were long time members of the Florence Christian Church. Bertha was a member of Eastern Star, Delta Study Club, Florence Historical Society, Thimble Club, Chase County Extension Council, Marion City Squares square dance club, and Quirky Quilters Club.

Among her legacies, are quilts which she pieced and sewed for each child, grandchild and baby quilts for the great grandchildren. She passed on her love for traveling which took her to Europe, the Holy Lands, Canada and San Juan.

Ralph died in 1995 and Bertha moved to Newton where she dove head first into a new community. She became a member of the First Christian Church in Newton. She was a member of the Kansas Christian Home Task Force and treasurer of the home's auxiliary. She was active in the hospital auxiliary for the Newton Medical Center and volunteered countless hours in the hospital's gift shop and surgery waiting room.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, daughter-in-law, Linda, and sister Roberta West. She is surrounded by the love of her two sons and their families, and many friends.

Viewing will be Friday afternoon at Broadway Colonial with family present for visitation from 4:30 to 6 pm Friday.

Funeral services will be Saturday (Nov. 21, 2015) at 2 pm at the Florence Christian Church, Rev. William D. Peterson, officiating.
Internment at the Cedar Point Cemetery following the service.

Memorials have been established with Legacy of John c/o Kansas Christian Home, and Cedar Point Mill project.