Bertha Mae Neuenschwander

Bertha Mae Neuenschwander, 77, of Berne passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. She was born on May 8, 1940 in Skippack, Pennsylvania to Wilmer and Bertha (Kriebel) Reiff. She was married on December 28, 1968 to Denver Neuenschwander.

She attended Philadelphia College of Bible and Bluffton University for her bachelor's degree in education and earned her master's degree from St. Francis University. She taught at Skippack Elementary School in Skippack, Pennsylvania and South Adams Schools in Berne. She also studied in Costa Rica before working as a teacher and principal in Colombia, South America. She could often be found reading one of her millions of books, playing games with her family, quilting, admiring the beauty of birds, or playing the piano, organ, or violin.

She was a very active member of the First Mennonite Church, where she served on the visitation and funeral committees, Women in Mission, and was a fervent prayer-warrior. She was passionate about people, life, and her faith. She was selfless, loving to all, and didn't know a stranger. She knew every detail of the lives of her children and their spouses as well as her grandchildren's lives, including all of their favorite foods. She was supportive and encouraging of all their interests and careers. She was the best wife, mom, and grandmother one could ask for and her passionate existence will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband of Berne; son, Dan (Damara) Neuenschwander of Berne; two daughters, Becky (Matt) Buckingham of Berne; and Sara (Sean) Davis of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Gerry (Charles) Sprunger of Landsdale, Pennsylvania; and eight grandchildren, Tyler Neuenschwander; Andrea Neuenschwander; Derick Neuenschwander; Kate Buckingham; Solomon Neuenschwander; Zane Davis; Boaz Neuenschwander; and Logan Davis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Arlene Spallinger; and brother, Wilbur Reiff.

Visitation was from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 27 and one hour prior to the 2:00 p.m. funeral service on Monday, August 28 at First Mennonite Church in Berne. Officiating was Pastor Jeff Linthicum. Burial was at Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery in rural Berne.

Memorials may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.

Arrangements provided by Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne. Sign the guest book online at www.yagerkirchhofer.com.