Bertha Louise Von Eschen

Bertha Louise Von Eschen, 100, Mandan, died August 17, 2016, at Sanford Health Continuing Care Center, Mandan. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 22, at Parkway Funeral Service Chapel, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with the Rev. Larry Giese officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Bertha Louise was born March 10, 1916, to Lena and Brady Nelson in Poplar, Montana. Her schooling took place in Montana and then she attended Minot State Teaching College in North Dakota. Upon graduating, she taught elementary school in Montana, and retired from teaching in Riverdale, North Dakota. In 1941, Bertha Louise married the love of her life, Shirley Von Eschen, and they made their home in Riverdale. Together, they had three children, Steve, Greg, and Judy. Bertha Louise and the family enjoyed boating and skiing on Lake Sakakawea. They spent many hours with friends at the lake and have wonderful memories. She spent many hours painting the local scenery and portraits of family. Upon their retirement, they moved to Totten Trail by Lake Audubon and for the next 30 years spent their summers in North Dakota and their winters in Mesa, Arizona. She loved to dance and they attended dances at their court every Saturday night. Bertha Louise is survived by her son, Steve (Cheryl); her daughter, Judy (Alan) Austad; grandchildren, Brian, Greg, Camie (Tim) Mateski, Stacy Austad and Brandon Austad; and great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Wyatt Mateski and Mackenzie Mateski. Bertha Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Shirley; her son, Greg; and her parents, Lena and Brady Nelson.