Bertha ("Bertie") Jackson, 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday August 5, 2017. She was born on February 3, 1933 in Rush County near Milroy IN, to Omer and Bertha Holzlider. She grew up on farms in Rush County. She loved being a farm girl, riding on the horse when horses were used for plowing, and as she grew older helping her Dad farm and work in the fields. She had a lifelong love of animals which began during childhood on the farm, including her favorite dog, the farm cats, and the lambs. She was involved in 4-H throughout school.
She attended grade school at Richland Grade School, and was a cheerleader at school. She attended and graduated from New Salem High School in 1951 with her dear friend Ruth Ann Stevens. While reluctant to leave the family farm, she attended and graduated from Indiana Business College in Indianapolis. She lived in Indianapolis as a young woman, eating lunch at Ayres Tea Room and working as an executive secretary at Allison's. She lived in Irvington with her growing family, making close friends with neighbors including the Reeds, Hermsdorfers, and Nicholsons. She made her home a welcoming place...[more]
r all of Carol and Judi’s friends, with her home being dubbed "Neu's Clubhouse". Once Carol and Judi were in school she enjoyed working in the medical field. She managed the office for psychiatrists for many years. She later worked for cardiovascular surgeons at Methodist Hospital including work with surgeons who were early pioneers in performing heart and lung transplants. She was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed reading, floral design, and was a gifted seamstress. She taught herself to sew and made beautiful clothes for Carol and Judi including both their baby layette and also formalwear for high school dances, and later she sewed for her grandchildren. She was bright, funny, and was interested in justice for all and was a champion for the underdog.
She had a deep love for her family including her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. The past 7 years her health began to fail following heart surgery and she endured many hospitalizations (so many hospitalizations that the hospital staff joked that they would re-name the hospital floor she stayed on after her calling it the "Jackson 5B floor".) Through all of this she was an inspiration to others, displaying extraordinary strength and courage, and a steely determination to live and remain engaged with her family, seeing her grandchildren grow up. She received outstanding care from her physicians, nurses, and other health care providers from IU Health North Hospital and IU Hospice particularly. Maple Park Village Nursing Home in Westfield was her residence for the past few years where she, again, received outstanding care.
She is survived by her husband Bob Jackson, daughters Carol Neu-Frauman (Dave) and Judi Willem (Steve), grandchildren Spencer and Olivia Willem and Jamie Carder Messer, stepdaughters Theresa Jackson and Carmen Tate, sister Betty Mellencamp, nephews Jim DeCoursey and Bill Wimmer, nieces Elizabeth Johnson and Becky Chan, daughter by marriage Peggy Willem, and daughter by friendship Carol Erne Fountain. She will be deeply missed by all and remembered for her strength and love.
Visitation is Saturday August 12, 2017 from 10-12 at Broadway United Methodist Church 609 E. 29th St., Indianapolis, IN. The funeral service is at 12:00 pm. Entombment immediately after at Crown Hill Cemetery. A meal will follow at the church with all welcome. Flowers may be sent to the church.
Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery
Indianapolis, IN 46208
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