Harriet M. Biertzer, (nee VanDenBerg), age 90, of West Bend, passed away Friday January 2, 2009, joyfully meeting her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
She was born on December 2, 1918 in Milwaukee to the late John and Louise (nee Duwe) VanDenBerg and moved to West Bend at an early age with her family. She was a graduate of West Bend High School in the class of 1936.
On June 19, 1937 Harriet was united in marriage to Edwin "Etchie" Biertzer at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Church and together they made their home in West Bend. Etchie preceded her in death in on May 28, 1984.
Some of the joys of her life were her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her great-great-grandson. She enjoyed stock car racing, as her husband drove modified racecars for 30 years. Her son, Ken, and grandson, "Etchie John" raced at one time also and Grandson, Scott, is racing presently. Others of her children and grandchildren are also very involved in racing. Harriet continued to go to races with family members as long as she was physically able
Harriet was a member of Calvary Assembly of God Church. For over 30 years she was very involved in weekly Bible studies. She loved reading her Bible daily and praying for her family, friends, her country and what ever requests she received. She was an avid listener of Christian music and she loved attending the Lighthouse Christian Fellowship music celebrations throughout the year.
Harriet worked a secretary for Rural Insurance and Immanuel United Church of Christ for many years. She was a long time volunteer for the Full Shelf Food Pantry and the Threshold. Harriet also taught cake decorating for several years and made wedding cakes for her grandchildren and many area families.
She is survived by three children, Pat (Dennis) Crass of Lomira, Kenneth (Mary) Biertzer of West Bend, and Karen (Farnsworth) Schneider of West Bend; ten grandchildren, Steve (special friend Diane) Crass, Brian (special friend Deb) Crass, Chris (special friend Gary) Crass, Edwin "Etchie John" (Jenette) Biertzer, Roxanne (special friend Bud) Schneider, Rosanne (friend Mike) Schneider, Scott (special friend Nicole) Biertzer, Therese (Ty) Bartz, Chad (Khristi) Schneider, and Brad Schneider; 17 great-grandchildren, Jaci, Joshua, Amanda, and Kaylee Crass, Stephanie Knaus, Anthony Unertl, Abigail VanTassel, Lisa, Olivia, Andrew, and Danielle Biertzer, Samantha Brown, Nathaniel Graskey, Ashley, Kyle, and Allen Sanders, and Jameson Bartz; a great-great-grandson, Skyler Stein; a sister-in-law, Audrey VanDenBerg of West Bend; two brothers-in-law, Fred Overman of Ft. Atkinson, and James Ahrens of Fallbrook, CA; Many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three infant children, five sisters, Delores Padgett, Mildred Backhaus, Frances VanDenBerg, Eleanor Overman, and Dorothy Ahrens; and two brothers, Wilmer "Bill" VanDenBerg and Norman VanDenBerg.
Funeral services in remembrance of Harriet will be held on Tuesday, January 6th at 4:30 pm at Calvary Assembly of God Church, 1110 E. Decorah Rd., West Bend, with Pastor John Garcia officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday 12:00 Noon until the time of service. Cremation will follow and burial of her cremated remains will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Memorials to the American Heart Association, the Diabetes Association, or the Parkinson's Association are appreciated.
The family wants to thank all the care givers for Harriet at Cedar Bay West, Friendship House and the ones who only knew her for a very few days at Cove 3 and the Hospice Care. The love and care she received was the best anyone could ever hope a loved one at this time of their life would receive. You will never know how much we appreciated each one of you. We have told you but not enough. Again, thank you from the bottom of each one of our hearts.