Bertha Marie Aho, 82, a long time Sebeka-area resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, at Tri-County Hospital in Wadena.
She was born Oct. 19, 1926 near Sebeka, to Isaac and Alma (Lindula) Bay. She attended District 219 Country school through the eighth grade and then went on to attend high school in Sebeka. As a young woman, Bertha waitressed at area restaurants for a time. She married Ernest Rautio and they made their home in Minneapolis for several years before returning to the Sebeka area. In addition to making a warm and loving home for her family, she clerked at the Motley Sales Barn for 15 years and also worked as a clerk at the Co-op Store in Sebeka for many years. In 1980, she moved to Westland, Mich., where she married James Aho. When James passed away in 1986, she returned to Sebeka where she could be closer to her daughters and has made her home at the Riverside Apartments since that time.
She was active in her community. She was a long time and faithful member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka. She served on the board of the Senior Center in Sebeka and had also served as the secretary of the Hay Creek Cemetery for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing and over the years sewed many varied items of apparel for others. She also enjoyed bowling and bowled on a league in Wadena for many years. Above all, she devoted her life to her children and grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart.
Memorial services were held Monday, Jan. 5 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka, with the Rev. Ray Hendrickson officiating. Interment will be in the Hay Creek Cemetery in the spring. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home of Menahga and Sebeka.
Survivors include her three daughters, Rosemary (Carl Calistro) of Menahga, Twyla (Paul) Hepola of Menahga, amd Tammy (Gilbert) Ruelas of Tuscon, Ariz.; three grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a special niece, Kay Bay of Michigan; two brothers, Lester (Bernice) Bay of New York Mills, and Edwin Bay of Michigan; two step-children, Jack (Joanie) Yochum and Jim Harrington all of Michigan; and three step-grandchildren of Michigan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
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She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four sisters, Lillian, Ellen, Hilda and Elsie and one brother, William.
