Bertha Martinelli

Bertha Martinelli (nee Weinmeier), 96 of Lake Villa, Il. Went home to be with the Lord and her loving family, on November 17, 2021. She was born on December 15, 1924, in Winona, Kansas. Loving sister of Joseph (Flo) and Cheryl (Walter) Falardeau. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, parents George and Mathilda Weinmeier, brothers John (Rita), Robert and sisters Fabiola (Bill Fore) and Margaret (Carmen) Cerabona. Bertha is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place on Monday, November 22, 2021 from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge, Il. Funeral Tuesday, beginning at the funeral home at 9:00 a.m. and then proceed to St Priscilla Church for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Entombment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.
Bertha’s life began on a farm in Winona, Kansas, on December 15, 1924. She was the third of seven children. Growing up, Bertha did household chores along with
her older sister Fabiola. The children made up their own games. Once Robert
and Margaret came along, Bertha helped take care of them. All the children spoke
both German and English. Life on the farm was tough but the family lived and thrived on that farm until the dust storms destroyed their livelihood and forced them to leave. This was the first
of many changes in Bertha’s life. She was eleven when in 1935 the family of six
then moved to Mankato, Minnesota, where her aunt and uncle found them a
home. Bertha finished 8th grade there. Lack of work forced her dad to move to
Chicago for more opportunity. In 1941, they settled in the predominantly
German Lakeview area on the north side. That is where Bertha made many
friends, found work and met the man she would marry. She had various jobs but
the one she loved most was as a dietary assistant at Martha Washington Hospital.
She retired from there in 1987 at age 62.
Fabiola worked at a company where she knew Joe Martinelli who wanted to meet
her sister Bertha. At first, she said no but Joe persisted and finally met Bertha.
They were married at St. Bonaventure church on September 11, 1948. They lived
in apartments until Joe’s brother persuaded them to move to Lake Villa, Illinois,
where they bought a home. They both kept their jobs in the city and so every
day, Bertha drove 50+ miles, dropping Joe off at his job then on to hers and
reverse on the way home. Bertha was an excellent driver and in October, 2021,
passed her driving test at age 96!
Although Bertha and Joe did not have children, they had many nieces and
nephews and Godchildren whom they loved. Bertha and Joe were very close to
their brothers and sisters and socialized with them. They loved to entertain both
family, friends and neighbors. Bertha’s niece Gale arranged many birthday parties
for the two of them. Last year, on December 15th Bertha’s 96th birthday, we did a
surprise drive-by celebration for her. She really enjoyed that and said, “Let’s do
this again next year" Sadly for all of us, she will not physically be here to celebrate her 97th birthday,
but will have the grandest party of all with her Joe and family in heaven.
Bertha's life was a blessing and her memory a treasure. She is loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.