Bertha Stotts

Bertha Marie Stotts, one of 11 children of Herbert Alexander Loury and Zoa Fern (Johnson) Loury, was born in Bedford, Iowa on February 9, 1908. Bertha often reminisced about her time spent traveling to Southeastern Missouri in her family's covered wagon. She and her family actually lived for several months in the wagon while they built their home. The family returned to Southwest Iowa by train, living in several communities and Bertha attended school in Farragut, Iowa.

On April 27, 1927, Bertha and Roy McNamee Stotts, were married in Nebraska City, Nebraska. They made their home on a farm south of Randolph, Iowa and were blessed with their eight children, Ralph Edward, Mary Louise, Evelyn Irene, Richard "Jack", Franklin Delano, Shirley Jean, Robert Lynn, and Barbara Sue. Roy eventually retired from farming and they moved to Glenwood in 1961, where they both worked at the Glenwood State Hospital School. Bertha worked as a Nursing Assistant at Lacey Hall. She loved working with children and had a calming effect on any child. Her love for children continued outside of work and she could be found in the classrooms speaking on her experiences as a youngster, traveling by covered wagon, and the challenges of raising children during the depression. Later in life she taught physical therapy students by serving as a standardized patient at Creighton University Medical Center, helping students develop their techniques and bedside manner. Bertha was also known for her prayers and many friends and family would call on her to add someone to her prayer list.

Bertha and Roy had been married 48 years when Roy died on December 2, 1975. Bertha moved to West Florence where she was closer to Barbara's family. She loved to watch her grandchildren come and go from school and care for them as needed.

Bertha died at the Nebraska Health Systems Clarkson Hospital in Omaha on September 21, 2006, at the age of 98 years, 7 months, and 12 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy; daughter Shirley Gray; grandson Jeffrey Gray; brothers LeRoy Loury, Henry Loury, James Loury, Donald Loury, Glen Loury, Acey Loury, and a brother who died in infancy; sisters Flossie Zimmerman, Madeline Malone, and Iris Life.
Bertha is survived by her children Ralph Stotts and his wife Evelyn of Tabor, IA, Mary Lewis of Council Bluffs, IA, Evelyn Pontious and her husband Harry of Shenandoah, IA, Richard "Jack" Stotts and his wife Maxine of Denmark, IA, Franklin Stotts and his wife Myra of Riverton, IA, Robert Stotts of Shenandoah, Barbara Cochran and her husband Malcolm of Glenwood; 20 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.