Bertha F. Polkowski

Bertha F. Polkowski (nee Liss), formerly Obudzinski, of Whitefish Bay died June 9, 2009, at age 94.

She was born in Avoca, Pa., on Oct. 3, 1914, one of nine brothers and sisters to George and Katherine Liss. She married Adam "Whitey" Obudzinski in Pennsylvania and gave birth to her first child, daughter Barbara (Harold) Buchter, currently a retired teacher in New Cumberland, Pa. Eight years later she had her second child, son John (Barbara) Obudzinski, who currently is practicing medicine in Milwaukee.

As a coal miner's daughter, Bertha has accomplished much in her long life. After her husband's death on July 19, 1959, she, at the age of 45, went to school to become a beautician in order to help her daughter get her teaching degree and her son go to medical school. She also worked at the coffee shop at Holy Spirit Hospital in Harrisburg, Pa., until having to retire but continued working there as a volunteer until she was in her late 80s.

In 2006 Bertha came to Milwaukee to live with her son, John, and his wife, Barbara. She began spending time at St. Ann Center, where she made many friends and touched many people's hearts. She loved to make people happy and was able to accomplish this in many ways, one of which was through her love of cooking, making her famous perogies every Christmas Eve, and tassies year round.

She is survived by her children, Barbara (Harold) Buchter and John (Barbara) Obudzinski; sister and brother, Eve Consentino and Stanley (Mary) Liss; grandchildren, Donna (George) Lenhart, Brad (Shelly) Buchter, Jessica (Ron) Schuckert, Juli (Heidi Nielsen), Jeremy and Jennifer Obudzinski; great-grandchildren, Ashley and Bradley Buchter and one Schuckert on the way; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Adam S. Obudzinski.

Memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, 2801 E. Morgan Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207.

Feerick Funeral Home handled the arrangements.