Services for Bertha Sjaarda, age 87, of Sanborn, formerly of Paullina who passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Prairie View Home in Sanborn. Her celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Paullina with Marj Feltman, officiating.
Private family burial will be held at Prairie View Cemetery in Paullina.
Visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Friday, January 12, 2024, at the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Paullina.
Bertha (Ter Haar) Sjaarda was born on June 10, 1936, in Sioux Center, Iowa to John and Bertha (Eenkhoorn) Ter Haar. Her mother died in childbirth. Her father later married Carrie (Jensen) Vander Helm. Bertha met her husband, Marvin Sjaarda, while attending Sioux Center High School. They were married on July 23, 1953.
They lived on farms near Sioux Center and Germantown before moving to Paullina where they purchased the Paullina Radio and TV Center, which they owned and operated for 18 years. Bertha loved visiting with all the customers, especially the kids who came in to buy records. After her retirement from the Radio and TV Center, she worked at Ebel’s Department Store, Paullina Community School, Casey’s General Store, United Foods, and the Paullina Liquor Store. Bertha loved being around people and supporting Paullina. She was the first female to serve on the Paullina City Council. Bertha was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Paullina, where she served on several committees, was a member of Presbyterian Women, and sang in the church choir. Her favorite place to serve was in the church kitchen making sure everyone was fed. Bertha moved into Prairie View Nursing Home on July 3, 2018, where she made her home until her death on January 5, 2024.
Her hobbies included cooking, baking, canning, making mints, crocheting, Swedish weaving, spending time with friends, and playing cards. During her time in the nursing home, she loved putting puzzles together and visiting with other residents and staff. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Quoting memories of one of her grandchildren, “She was the kindest soul (mixed with just the right amount of ornery) and the amazing bread and canned treats she would send us home with.” A quote from one of her great grandchildren, “She was a lot of fun to be around and I’m going to miss her so much.”
Left to cherish her memory are her three children Greg (Lori) Sjaarda, Marlin (Cheryl) Sjaarda, and Sharla (Steve) Rupert; grandchildren Chad (Lindsey) Sjaarda, Jon (Wendy) Sjaarda, Eric (Andrea) Sjaarda, Laura (Andy) Baerg, Ryan (Carrie) Sjaarda, Tim (Kate) Rupert, Erin (Nate) Folkmann, Grant (Stephanie) Sjaarda, Bethany (Andrew) Hodnefield; great grandchildren Gerrit, Gavin, Isabella, Mason, Alannah, Oliver, Gauge, Nolan, Matthew, Austin, Greta, Taylor, Rhett, Benjamin, and Nicholas; stepsister-in-law Lavina Vander Helm; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bertha was preceded in death by her beloved husband Marvin; parents and stepmother; granddaughter Jill Sjaarda; siblings Johanna (Harold) Meendering, Christina Ter Haar, Gertrude (John) Zomermaand, Gerrit Ter Haar, Wesselena (Claude) Smyttle, Wilbur Ter Haar, Bernard Ter Haar, John Ter Haar Jr.; and stepsiblings George (Vivian) Vander Helm, Allen (Ramona) Vander Helm, Marie (Henry) Obbink, John (Doris) Vander Helm, Simon (Bernice) Vander Helm, Henry (Eileen) Vander Helm, Basil Vander Helm.
We are grateful for the amazing staff at Prairie View Campus who have become family over the last 5+ years.