Bertha Margaret Johnson was born 10 Dec 1865 near Calamus, Iowa. She was the daughter of Gjert "George" J. Johnson and his wife, Bretta (Britta) Christiansdatter Skeie Johnson.

Bertha was the 7th born of their 11 children. Her siblings were: John dal Gjertson (John G.) Johnson 26 Jan 1855-20 May 1933 (Soneva Larsina Larson Rosland 2 Aug 1849-9 Oct 1916), Berthanna Johnson 6 Apr 1856-9 Nov 1924 (Pastor Johannes J. Heie 11 Nov 1857-15 Mar 1936), Christen Olai Johnson Dosland 24 Jul 1858-4 Nov 1949 (Anne Louise Halvorsen 9 May 1860-30 Jan 1947), Lisbet Karine "Libbie" Johnson 30 Dec 1859-1 Feb 1932 (Hans P. N. Petersen 12 Dec 1859-6 May 1937), Christianna Gjertsdtr. Johnson 27 Jan 1862-8 May 1913 (Erick Barney Charlson 12 Apr 1864-8 Dec 1941), Bertha Margrethe Johnson 24 Aug 1863-1865, Gjert G. "George" Jr. Johnson 2 Dec 1867-8 Aug 1936, Johana Maria "Marie" Johnson 7 Jul 1869-4 Jun 1902 (Albert Julius Kroshus 22 Dec 1864-3 Feb 1896), Leah D. Johnson 6 Jun 1871-15 Aug 1871 and Christian G. Johnson Dosland 14 Oct 1872-7 Feb 1945 (Anna Dorothy Lobben 29 Oct 1876-20 Jun 1962).

Bertha married Samson N. Petersen 21 Mar 1888 in Norman County, MN.

Bertha and their family would move to different communities as he had clerking jobs in several general stores in Ada, Perley, Fargo, and Horace before returning to Perley in 1904 and began operating his own general store.

Samson and Bertha were the parents of three children and foster parents to one daughter. They are: Nels Gerhard 19 Sep 1888-2 Oct 1975 (Bertha Albertine Olson 15 Oct 1889-21 Oct 1982), Beatrice 9 Nov 1889-20 Nov 1973 and Stella Mildred ca. Mar 1899-4 Sep 1899. They were foster parents to Laura Underlee from the Hendrum area. She was a missionary to Madagascar for 32 years. She was known as Sister Laura Underlee Petersen, 24 Jan 1897-12 Jan 1958, and is buried as Laura Andria Underlee in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Hendrum.

Bertha Johnson Petersen received her schooling at Davenport, Iowa and at St. Olaf College at Northfield, MN. She came to Norman County with her parents in 1882 and lived on a farm east of Perley in Lee Township.

Samson Petersen passed away at his home in Perley 28 Nov 1939. Bertha continued living in her home after his passing.

Bertha passed away at the age of 86 at her home in Perley on Friday, May 9, 1952. Funeral services were held at the Kirkebo Lutheran Church, Perley, on Tuesday, May 13, 1952. Pastor Carl K. Randoy and Pastor Thomas Anderson officiated at the services.