Bertha May Bischoff (nee: Sternaman, Smith) was born in Battle Creek on December 23, 1916. The third of six children of Ruth and Frank Johnson. Bertha peacefully left this life on January 18, 2015 at the age of 98 to join her Lord. She will be sorely missed by those who knew, respected and loved her. Even so we know she is in a better place. Bertha married Harold Sternaman in 1934. They had one son, Kenneth F. Sternaman. They lived in Battle Creek, Shelby, Traverse City and Charlevoix, Mi. Berth and Harold owned a grocery store in Shelby until Harold's health required them to sell and move to Traverse City. Bertha worked in variety store's until they moved to Charlevoix in 1965 where she managed the Oleson's Variety Store until she retired. Harold passed away in 1972. Bertha was active in the Bethany Lutheran Church and the Rainbow Thrift Shoppe. She volunteered at the Charlevoix Area Hospital Gift Shop for many years. Bertha was married to Milo Smith in 1982 until his death in 1996. Bertha and Hal Bischoff were married in 1997. They traveled extensively and were very involved in the construction of the new Bethany Lutheran Church building. Hal passed away in 2004. Bertha lived in Charlevoix until 2010, when she decided she could no longer live alone. She moved to Traverse City to live with her son, Kenneth and his wife; Cathy. Bertha is survived by her son; Kenneth F. Sternaman, step-daughter's; Janice Smith, Lisa (Bruno) Loubiere, Lillian (Fred) Reetz, step-son; Eric Bischoff, grandchildren; Kathleen Glover, Amanda Leonard, Kenneth H. Sternaman, Stephen Rowe, Cheryl (Bill Simpson) Busch, Angie (Joe) Forbes and step-grandson in law; Ed Cox. Also survived by many great, great great and great great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Bertha was preceded in death by her three husbands, her mother, father, step-mother, sister; Alice, brothers; Bud, Dick, Bob and Willy, daughter in law; Cathleen M. Sternaman, three step-sons; Richard, Rawley and Kurt, step-daughter; Ethel, grandson; John H. Sternaman and step granddaughter; Sandra Lee Cox.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2015; 10am at Bethany Lutheran Church in Charlevoix. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City at 2pm. Memorial contributions made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation are appreciated.