Bertha Clark

Bertha "Bert" M. Clark, 94, formerly of Galesburg, died May 26, 2021, at the Meadowbrook Manor in Naperville, Illinois.  Funeral services will be held at the Maquon United Methodist Church, 322 East Street, Maquon, Illinois, on Saturday, May 29.  Visitation with family will be at 1:00 and a celebration service at 2:00.  Burial will be in Yates City Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Faith United Methodist Church, Galesburg.  Stackhouse-Moore Funeral & Cremation Services, Cambridge, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Bertha Marie Goedeke was born June 4, 1926 in Yates City, Illinois, the daughter of August Frederick William and Pearl (Dalton) Goedeke.  She lived most of her life in Knox County and attended Galesburg High School.  Her marriage to Robert Clark took place in 1944 and they had three sons.  Bertha's work included farming and employment with the Blue Bell Clothing Factory in Abingdon, 13 years with the Selmore Garment Company in O'Fallon, IL, and 17 years in housekeeping at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville.  She was noted for her dedication to her labor and her co-workers.  Bertha was a member of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union, the oldest women's union in the U.S, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union of Illinois.  Among her devoted service for others was her accomplishment of having given 23 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross.

She was known and celebrated as "Bert the Great" by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Birthday parties and holiday dinners were her favorite family events.  She always wanted to know what was happening in each person's life.  Bertha enjoyed roller skating, bowling, making clothes for her children and grandchildren, cooking, and cheering for her sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at their athletic games.  She would also report with pride on their academic and musical accomplishments.  The Chicago Cubs were her life-long passion and she followed faithfully each game until her last days.  She was an active member of the Faith United Methodist Church, Mix and Mingles, and OAKS in Galesburg.

Those surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, Terry L. and Janice (Stackhouse) Clark, Aurora, Larry E. and Kathy Clark, Gilson, and Robert W. Clark, Collinsville, five grandchildren, Rachel (Adam) Keys, Jennifer (Zac) Portell, Rebekah (John) Munch, Kim (Kevin) Elliott, Greg (Denee) Clark, and 12 great grandchildren.  Her parents and six brothers preceded her in death.