Thole, Bertha

Bertha A. Thole, 78, of Aviston, died Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Countryside Manor in Aviston. She was born December 23, 1933 in Aviston, daughter of Joseph and Bertha (Poettker) Litteken. She married Andrew B. “Andy” Thole on April 15, 1952 in Aviston and he preceded her in death on April 20, 2010. She is survived by her children, Dale (Rebecca) Thole of Trenton, Donna (Dave) Lohman, Daniel (Margie) Thole, David (Terry) Thole, and Darrel (Jackie) Thole all of Aviston; 13 grandchildren, Jason (Hope) Lohman, Janelle (Jonothan) Greene, Jesse (Heather) Thole, Ashley (Brock) Rommelman, Joseph Thole, Matthew Thole, Michelle Thole, Lori Blanchard, Nicholas Thole, Andrea Thole, Kristi Hilmes, Kelli Buschmann, and Keith Thole; 14 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Laura Kapp of Marine, Ruth (Clarence) Kapp of Highland, Jane (Joe) Gebhart of Aviston, and Judy (Jim) Boehler of Aviston; two brothers, Leo (Pat) Litteken of Albers, and Maurice (Bonny) Litteken of Highland; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rose Litteken of Marine, Irene Thole of New Baden, Alice Thole of Nashville, Agnes Wise of Breese, Teresa Kollmann of Trenton, Helen & Bernard Wiegmann of Ottawa, and Cecelia & Roger Wellen of Albers. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by five brothers, Chester Litteken, Leonard Litteken, Joseph Litteken, Stanley Litteken, and Jerome Litteken; two sisters, Esther Trame and Irene Holtgrave; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Eugene Trame, Edgar Kapp, Ray Haukap, Steve Holtgrave, Delores Litteken, Alvis A. F. Thole, Walter Thole, Theodore & Clara Mae Thole, Anthony Thole, Lynn Thole, Edmund Wiegmann, and Norman Kollmann. Mrs. Thole, along with her husband and sons, operated the family dairy farm and remained interested until her death. She was a member of St. Francis Parish and Altar Sodality and was a Eucharistic Minister for years. She was also a member of the American Legion Post 1239 Auxiliary in Aviston. Bertha enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing cards and family gatherings. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston with Rev. Dan Friedman officiating. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2012 and from 8 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. and the Auxiliary will visit at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, or St. Francis Parish or to Mater Dei High School and will be received at the funeral home.