Bertha Pepper, of Delavan, died Aug. 20, 2015, at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Walworth under the care of Aurora at Home Hospice.
She was born Feb. 19, 1924, in Hampshire, Ill., to Nickolas and Ann (Eschbach) Busch. She graduated from Hampshire School. On Nov. 25, 1944, she married August Pepper of Barrington, Ill. They farmed with his parents in Barrington before moving with them to Walworth to farm in 1965. In 1972, Augie and Bertha purchased their own farm in Delavan. They joined their son, Dale, in operating Pepper’s Farm Market for more than 30 years.
Bertha was her husband’s constant companion. Together they played cards with friends and square danced with a square dance club that traveled throughout the state and danced at several conventions. They were members of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Fontana where Bertha helped with the church bazaar by making craft items and selling jewelry. They also participated in numerous Farm Bureau activities and were Green Bay Packers fans, proudly flying the Packer flag outside their home on game days. Bertha loved planting flowers and gardening. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, and making memories with family. She always had a candy bowl ready for her grandchildren, and they loved visiting her.
Bertha is survived by her two sons, Ronald (Darlene) Pepper, of Martinez, Calif., and Dale (Leina Edwards) Pepper, of Delavan; grandchildren, Phillip (Kayla) Pepper, Langie Gifford, Sevenju (Warren) Berkey, Justin Pepper, Alex Pepper, Jaime (Raymie) Juchems, and Coy (Tiffany) Brockmann; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, August Pepper; two sisters, Florence Brahmstadt and Lucille Cramsey; and five brothers, Donald, Francis, Albert, Harvey and Joseph Busch.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, at Toynton’s Funeral Home, 328 Kenosha St., Walworth.
Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 137 Dewey Ave., Fontana.
Toynton’s Funeral Home is assisting the family.
