Obituary of Bertha E. Vedepo

Bertha E. VeDepo, 86, formerly of Iowa City, West Liberty and West Branch died Thursday, December 3, 2009, at Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty, surrounded by her family’s love. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 7, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in West Liberty. Burial will be at the North Prairie Cemetery in West Liberty. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Bertha was born September 15, 1923, in West Branch, Iowa, to Emil and Rose (See) Turecek. She was united in marriage to LuVerne W. VeDepo on March 5, 1946, in Cedar Valley, Iowa. For many years, LuVerne and Bertha farmed near West Branch, and later moved to West Liberty where Bertha cooked for the West Liberty School District for over 15 years. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty. Bertha and her husband were both avid card players and also enjoyed frequenting the former Kirkwood Avenue Hardee’s for their bi-daily cup of coffee. Bertha enjoyed the outdoors, her garden, flowers, feeding and watching the birds, and fishing. She had a magic touch when it came to cooking and Baking because no one could ever replicate a dish the way Bertha did! Bertha’s number one priority in life was always family. She was a great wife, mother, and grandmother who will truly be missed. Bertha is survived by her daughter, Pat Pederson (Tom) of Riverside; two sons, Jim VeDepo of Iowa City, and Gary VeDepo (Cindy) of Muscatine; daughter-in-law, Jan VeDepo (Mark Vetter) of Columbus Junction; grandchildren, Kim Pederson, Lisa Ciha (Adam), Jeff VeDepo (Pam), Jaime VeDepo, Jacob VeDepo, Natasha VeDepo, , Ron VeDepo, Justin VeDepo, Kory VeDepo, Angela Mahoney (Keith), Jody VeDepo; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, LuVerne; son, Ron VeDepo; sister, Gladys VeDepo and brother, Charles Turecek. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Bertha’s family and her services.