Bertha Eva Patapoff, 86, peacefully went home to be with her Lord on April 7, 2007.
She was born on April 4, 1921, in Loesch, Mont., to William and Bertha Froby. At three years of age the Froby family moved to Chicago where Bertha and her six siblings grew up.
In the early 1950s she moved to California where she met and married her husband, Peter Patapoff.
In 1968 the couple decided to settle in Arlington, Wash., where they resided for many years.
Bertha devoted her life to caring for her family and serving the Lord. Over the years, Bertha and Peter provided a loving home for many foster children and reached out to feed and clothe those less fortunate. Bertha continued dedicating her life to serving people and working at the Volunteers of America. Her vision and passion to feed the hungry was instrumental in developing the VOA Food Bank into a valuable resource for the citizens of Everett.
After 17 years, Bertha retired and with her husband moved to Ocean Shores, where they shared their love of the ocean and doing projects around their home.
Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Peter, while living there. Bertha continued to enjoy this peaceful lifestyle for over a decade, until failing health made it necessary for her to leave Ocean Shores, return to Arlington, and spend the last year being cared for by her son and daughter-in-law, Jim Sr. and his wife, Mary.
Bertha is survived by sisters, Grace Langwell and Idabelle Miller; sons, William (wife, JoAnn) Brown, Jim (wife, Mary) Brown Sr., Donald (wife, Fran) Brown, and Albert Auerbach; daughters, Jacqui Coniff, Carol (husband, Dave) Crawford and Tracee (husband, Jay) Iseman; 12 grandchildren, Jim Jr., Jamie, JoAnn, Paul, Terri, Albert Jr., Theodore, Shannette, Kristine, Robert, Cortney and Aaron; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Bertha will be dearly missed by her family. Although she is no longer here on earth with us, she will always be remembered with love. The gift of her life will continue on in our hearts.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, April 26 at 2 p.m., at the South Everett Community Church.
In lieu of flowers, please present your gifts to Providence Snohomish