Bertha Marie Cole passed away on November 17, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital at the age of 92.

Bertha Marie Stine was born on August 14, 1917 in Faribault, MN to Anna and John E. Stine.  She attended Faribault High School.  She married Floyd R. Cole on October 17, 1939.  The couple later moved to Northfield, where they raised their three daughters.  In 1961, the family moved to Rochester, where Bertha worked for Schmitt Music (formerly Bach Music).  She later worked for RCTC (formerly the Rochester Area Vocational Technical Institute) in the bookstore, until her retirement at the age of seventy-five, in 1992.  She lived at Arbor Terrace, and later Samaritan Bethany (on 8 ^th ) Nursing Home until her passing.  Bertha was very active in the St. Francis Women's Group.  She loved to watch all types of sporting events, especially the Vikings, Twins, and the Chicago Cubs. She was an avid bowler, and loved knitting in her free time.  Her husband Floyd passed away in 1984.

Survivors include her three daughters: Jean (Jerry) Petricka and Carole Arndt both of Rochester, and Linda (Dick) Bloomquist of Windom, MN, eight grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by a sister, two brothers, her parents, and her husband.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 11:00AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Rev. Father Timothy T. Reker officiating.

Visitation will be from 5:00PM  to 7:00PM Friday evening November 20, 2009 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at church. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Memorials are preferred to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or Samaritan Bethany on 8 ^th Nursing Home.  Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  www.mackenfuneralhome.com