Bertha Lee Kruthoff, 84, of Redfield, SD, died Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at her home in Redfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Father William Osborn will celebrate the mass. Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Bertha was born June 29, 1923 in Clark, SD to Joseph and Bertha Mae (Frail) Gregory. She attended Clark High School where she met Lee Kruthoff. They were united in marriage on June 23, 1942. They had seven children, five boys and two girls. In 1960, Bertha and Lee moved their family to Redfield where they owned and operated the Gambles Store until they retired in 1988. Lee died in 1989. One of Bertha's greatest joys was continuing to work in the store for her son, until shortly before her death. She enjoyed staying active, walking many miles each day, having coffee with her friends at the One Stop and working in her yard.

Grateful for having had her in their lives are her children: Cheryl Macheledt of Duluth, MN; Randy (Judy) Kruthoff of Watertown, SD; Jean (Bob) Tusler of Brainerd, MN; Greg (Barb) Kruthoff of Badger, IA; Steve Kruthoff of Redfield; Rob (Becky) Kruthoff of Ft. Dodge, IA and Mike Kruthoff of Redfield. She will be sadly missed by sixteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and one sister Maxine Burchardi of Sioux Falls, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lee in 1989 and her granddaughter Michelle.