Bertha G. Skeba

Bertha G. Skeba

Died April 10, 2016

LAKE LEELANAU – Bertha Gene Skeba, 83, of Lake Leelanau, died peacefully Sunday, April 10, 2016 at home surrounded by her loving family. 

  Bertha was born on Jan. 9, 1933, on the family farm in Elmira, the daughter of Peter and Julia (Schopieray) Osga.  On Oct. 29, 1955 in Elmira, she married her loving husband of 55 years, Lawrence E. Skeba, who preceded her in death on June 25, 2011.

  Bertha worked several jobs throughout her lifetime.  After graduation from high school she hitchhiked from Elmira to Traverse City with her best friend and rented a room from an aunt and uncle and landed a job at Michigan Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator.  From there she enjoyed being a stay-at-home Mom until her children were older.  She then worked for a friend in her drapery and upholstery business.  She also cleaned rooms at the Leland Lodge, and was hostess for several years at the Bluebird Restaurant in Leland, where she enjoyed the interaction with the public and was known as the Tootsie Roll Lady at the hostess station.  After retirement from the Bluebird, along with caring for her ailing husband, she assisted her daughter as a kitchen aide at St. Mary’s School in Lake Leelanau, where the kids affectionately called her “Grandma B”.

  She loved working on the family cherry farm, working behind the shaker, skimming leaves from the tanks.  There was never a leaf left in the tank!  She loved cooking and baking for the cherry crew, including sandwiches made with her delicious homemade bread.  She was an excellent baker who was known for her famous lemon-meringue pies, which she always made for family members on their birthday.  The family especially remembers the homemade pickles which were also a wonderful treat.

  She loved knitting and sewing, including hand-crafted beautifully detailed Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.  Bertha loved listening and dancing to polka music.  Whether it be at home, out with family, at the weekly casino polka gatherings with friends or more recently at Dick’s Pour House with her caregiver; she would twirl around with biggest smile on her face.

  She was known by several nicknames from her family, including Big B, Big Bertha, Gma, Granny, Our Queen B, Grandma, Momma and B.

  She was a wonderful, loving, caring, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

  We would like to give a very special thank you to Mom’s wonderful, devoted caregiver, Andrea Kohler, who along with her husband Ted has become a part of our family.  We also appreciate the assistance of Hospice of Michigan for the care and support they provided in her final days.

  Bertha is survived by her children, Vicki Houdek, Jacqueline “Jackie” (Mike) Herman, and Allen Skeba; four grandchildren, Joseph (Kathleen) and Bradley Houdek, Kate (Joe) Bardenhagen, and Benjamin (Leia Marie) Herman; seven great-grandchildren, Charlotte Jo, Henry Jack, and Bradley Bardenhagen, Christopher and Anthony Herman, and Christian and Ian Houdek; brothers, Floyd (Pat), Jim (Mary Ruth), Ed (Adah), Ray, and Don (Carol) Osga; sisters, Mary (Doc) Reynolds and Patricia Heaton.

  In addition to her husband, Bertha was preceded in death by a daughter, Marcia Skeba; twin sons, David and Donald Skeba; son-in-law, Robert Houdek; siblings, Tom Osga, Dorothy Brooks, Sophia Maschke, Alice Duczkowski; Clara Koronka, and Phyllis Lothschutz.

  Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 14 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau.  The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 15 at 11 a.m. also at the church.  Burial at St. Mary Cemetery will be held at a later date. Fr. Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.

  Memorials may be directed to St. Mary School and/or Church, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.

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