Bertha Marie (Castaneda) Kramer passed away March 4, 2021, at Liberty Hospital Hospice at age 85 after being placed there a few days earlier.

Bertha was born July 31, 1935, in Olpe, Kansas, a small town east of Emporia. Bertha was the eldest of five girls. There also were four older boys. Her deceased brothers were Raul, Alfred and Harvey. Bertha’s lone surviving brother, Hector, lives in the Los Angeles area.

Bertha’s father, Antonia Castaneda, immigrated to the United States from Mexico. Her mother, Alexandria Gallardo, also immigrated from Mexico to the United States.

Bertha is survived by her sisters, Esperanza (Essie) (Hope) Humbird, Ortensia (Ory) Chrane, Delia (Dee) Castaneda (Hernandez) and Amparo Castaneda. Bertha’s husband, Glenn Kramer; and Essie’s husband Ron also still survive. Bertha has two half-sisters, Mary Castaneda and Nellie Peters. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Bertha loved to shop with her sisters, but they complained that she wore them out. Often on their shopping trips, little was bought. Bertha was a Catholic and a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Excelsior Springs.

Bertha has chosen to be cremated, and her ashes will be spread on the family farm, where she lived for more than 45 years. Because of COVID-19, there will be no visitation. Hopefully, a celebration of life for Bertha can be held this summer.

Our beloved wife and sister, we know the Lord Jesus has taken you where you will suffer no longer. We will miss you dearly, so until we meet again, may you rest in peace.

Please do not send flowers. Please make donations to Alzheimer’s foundations.