Myra Marie Bertram

FARMINGTON - Myra Marie Bertram passed away to her heavenly home on May 3, 2012; there to join her parents, Pastor B.J. and Bernice Loesel, brother Frederick Loesel, and loving husband of 48 years, Paul Bertram. One thing about cancer, she writes, is that it gives you a chance to cherish your loved ones and to write your own story. Here it goes: I was born on January 11, 1944 in Paola, Kansas, graduated from Farmington High School in 1962 and Lutheran Hospital Nursing School in 1965, and later received a Bachelor of Arts from College of St. Francis. I worked at the Bonne Terre hospital for two years. In 1967 I took a night shift position at State Hospital in the Medical-Surgical Building and was the only med-surg RN at nights for 1,400 patients (at the age of 23). In the 1980's, I became the medical R.N. for State Hospital and received an A.N.A. certification in Gerontological Nursing. I wrote an article (which was published in Gerontological Nursing Magazine) about land-marking to help Alzheimer patients find their way about their environment. Due to the article I testified as an expert witness for nursing homes in Canadian Supreme Court, Toronto, against Canadian Socialized Medicine (a "Land-mark case") concerning inequality of nursing care with socialized medicine. Having graduated from a strict Lutheran Hospital NSA School, I think I surprised many co-workers by impersonating Lily Tomlin's naughty "Edith Ann" at three nursing banquets. I also enjoyed flower gardening, water skiing, and playing the pipe organ at St. Paul Lutheran Church. I request that memorials be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or to Farmington Pet Adoption Center (P.O. Box 45, Farmington, MO - 63640), where I volunteered and found my last precious companion, FiFi, a tiny Chihuahua with "Taco Bell" ears. Myra is survived by loving sons, William Paul (Ann) Bertram and children Chelsea, Bailey, and Nicholas; Eric Paul (Sarah) Bertram and children Kala, Ella, Sam, Emilie and great-grandson Will, all of Farmington. Sisters, Lois (Rev. Walter) Fehrmann, Jackson, MO, and Esther (Rev. James) Peshtigo, WI. Special thanks to Paula Vivrett and Shirley Harrington Norbak, who watched over her every day and all her friends in "The Gang", her high school girlfriends, all the special people she was blessed to work with at the SEMO Mental Health for almost 32 years, Susan and Harold Lashley, and all her in-laws. Visitation on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Farmington, from 8 to 9:45 a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m. with Pastor James King officiating. Myra will be laid to rest next to her cherished husband, Paul, at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory. Share your condolences and memories at cozeanfuneralhome.com. Visitation

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Friday, May 11, 2012 08:00 AM - 09:45 AM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Funeral Service

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Sunday, May 13, 2012 10:00 AM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions