Bertha Buchan

Bertha Lena Buchan

October 30, 1932 -September 23, 2023

Bertha was born in Santa Fe, NM on October 30, 1932, to Willard F. and Bertha E. (Berchtold) Clark.

Bertha went to Loretto Academy in Santa Fe, until WWII broke out.  She then moved to Los Alamos, where her father worked for the government.

When the war ended, they moved back to Santa Fe in 1947 and she graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1950.

After graduation from high school, Bertha moved to Santa Barbara, CA with her parents, and after a  year they moved back to Santa Fe.  Bertha then moved to Albuquerque, NM to attend the University of New Mexico. This is where she met her future husband, Robert Buchan.

Bertha and Bob eloped in Albuquerque in 1952. They were married until Bob’s death in 2000.

To this union five children were born.  Robert Jr., Willard (Bill), Burton (Butch), Barbara Anna, and Byron.

Bertha resided in Gordon, NE from 1952 until 1981, with a few moves to other places. In 1981 Bertha moved to Rushville, NE. In 2020 Bertha moved to Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs, NE and lived there until her passing September 23, 2023.

Bertha worked for Montgomery Wards in Gordon for twelve years and the Gordon Memorial Hospital for 22 years in the office where she retired in 1998.

Bertha enjoyed her children, grandchildren and their many friends. Bertha loved all people and was always accepting, and she believed that people learn so much from others and to be tolerant.

Bertha enjoyed painting and drawing, crafts, CB radio, the stars in the night sky, and always had a smile.

She is survived by her children: Butch (Rosie) of Texico, NM, Barb (Rich Schrader) of Rapid City, SD, and Byron (Kim) of Gordon, NE, her grandchildren: Heather, Skye Lee, Karie, Julie, La Shona, Jared, Justin, Ryan, Shane, Eric, Tyler, Seth, Jamie, Courtney, Micheal, and serval great grandkids, her nephew Kevin Ryan, and her niece Andrea Senutovitch

She was proceeded in death by her husband Robert, her sons Robert Jr and Willard, her grandson Beau, her parents Willard and Bertha E Clark, her in-laws Cecil and Blanche Buchan, her Sister Doris Senutovitch, her niece Sherry DeBellas, her Aunt Clara Mabry, her Uncles Victor Berchtold, Chick Berchtold, Henry Berchtold, and two infant great granddaughters.

KWC 7509 Lady Bug out

Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023,10 am, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Gordon, NE. A Vigil service will be held Friday, October 13, 2023, 7:00 pm, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church.