Bertha Margaret (Van Dierendonck) Hertges

Bertha Margaret Hertges, 98, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Friday, April 19, 2019.

Bertha was born March 10, 1921 in La Porte, Indiana to Ferdinand and Rosa (Pickavet) Van Dierendonck.

On April 11, 1942, in La Porte, Bertha married Lawrence J. Hertges who preceded her in death on March 26, 2004.

Bertha retired from La Porte Community School Corporation as a school bus driver, she was a hard-working farmer’s wife and a homemaker.  She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, St. Anthony Rosary Sodality, Fish Lake Birthday Club, and St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Bertha Leaves behind, two daughters, Teresa (Tom) Fara and Carol (Ed) Howard both of La Porte, Indiana; two sons, Thomas (Diane) Hertges and Ronald (Judy) Hertges both of La Porte, Indiana; ten grandchildren, Nicole McDonald, Heather LaGault, Stacy Bell, Larry Howard, Jon Howard, Chad Hertges, Thomas Hertges Jr., Tyler Fara, Tim Fara, and Trent Fara; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joan Wilhelm; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and four brothers, Albert, George, Maurice and James Van Dierendonk.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2019 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fish Lake.  Family and friends may visit from 8:30-9:15 a.m. in the funeral home on Friday.  Reverend Michael Heimer will officiate.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contribution may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 10401 N. Meridian Street Suite 150, Indianapolis, Indiana 46290 or the Charity of Donor’s Choice.

Please share prayers, condolences, and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

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