F. Alberta “Bertie” Elfeldt, 98, formerly of Sutherland, passed away Jan. 18, 2013, in her home at Linden Court in North Platte.
She was born on May 2, 1914, on a ranch west of Tryon, to A.B. and Grace (McCance) Snyder. As a child, Bertie and her family moved to Oregon, where she graduated from Salem High School in Salem. Afterward, she and her family returned to the Sutherland area and she worked as a nurse at the North Platte Hospital. On Sept. 27, 1934, she married Glenn A. Elfeldt and to this union three children were born. Bertie and her family soon settled on a ranch south of Sutherland. In 1957, a group including Bertie founded Sutherland Industries. She worked there until 1977 and her family continues to run the business today.
Bertie lived a full 98 years. She served as president of the Nebraska Cowbells (now Nebraska Cattlewomen), was a member of the Lincoln County Extension Board, was a 4-H Leader, served on the Census and Election Boards, was an Honorary Member of the Sutherland Chamber of Commerce, and was active at the Sutherland United Methodist Church where she found time to teach Sunday School. After being nominated by her grandchildren for being an outstanding grandmother, she was selected and hosted by the Granny Smith Apple Company with a trip to Washington State to receive an Outstanding Granny award.
Bertie had many hobbies and loved a good adventure. She and Glenn loved to square dance and traveled to dances all over the country. She enjoyed trapping, hunting rattlesnakes, raising many varieties of cactus, and was a fixture at the top of the stands at the Sutherland Rodeo for many, many years. In later years, Bertie always creatively celebrated her birthdays with her family, including going whitewater rafting when she turned 80, and driving the lead team of horses on the Oregon Trail at Chimney Rock when she turned 90. She truly had a great life.
Survivors include a daughter, Dr. Josee (Ray) Schultze, of Bellevue; two sons, Dr. William ‘Bill’ (Kandi) Elfeldt of Strawberry, Ariz., and Robert “Skip” (Anita) Elfeldt, of Sutherland; eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by a sister-in-law, Beulah Callihan, formerly of Sutherland, and currently residing in Connecticut.
Bertie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn; two sisters, Nellie Yost and Billie Thornburg; a brother, Miles Snyder; and a grandson, Jamie Elfeldt.
Memorials are suggested to the Sutherland United Methodist Church or to the Sutherland Public School Foundation. Online condolences may be made at adamsswanson.com.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Sutherland United Methodist Church with Pastor Kolawole Akinnigbagbe officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery, south of Sutherland. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte, which is in charge of arrangements.