MILFORD - Bertha S. Roketa, 94, passed away the morning of Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, at Bassett Healthcare, as the sun shined in the window with family and Keith The Cat with her.

She was born July 4, 1915, in the town of Milford, one of eight children born to Arthur Couse and Della (Kilts) Couse.

Before marrying Charles Roketa in 1939, she was previously married for a brief time. Bertha and Charles had many beautiful years together until his passing in 1978. In early years, they traveled the USA.

Bertha worked at the Rexmere Hotel, a dress factory and Mika Plant in the early years of her life. She had the honor of serving as an Air Raid Warden during World War II. She was a homemaker for many decades.

In early years, she lived in Milford and later moved to Oneonta, where Bertha lived many decades enjoying her home and neighborhood. She loved to work in her tulip gardens.

In 2001, Bertha moved back to live in the town of Milford, a place she loved, held close to heart and had so many family roots. She was especially proud to live in the town where her son-in-law is Town Supervisor.

In August 2009, she went to stay at the Otsego Manor. Although her health declined, Bertha always tried to smile and say "I'm Fine." She was an inspiration to many with her warm personality and loved her family and friends unconditionally.

She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Bertha loved spending time with her family.

Bertha was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta. When Bertha was a member of the senior citizens group, she especially enjoyed the trip to the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee, going to ceramics and having lunch with her friends. Bertha was a member of the Girl Scouts of America for 26 years. For years she volunteered with the Milford Brownie Troops and other volunteer positions. In 2009, she was honored for 25 years in Girl Scouting. A gift of a wheelchair in her honor to the Wheel Chair Foundation was made by her daughter and son-in-law.
On her 80th birthday, Bertha had a wonderful party. She received a certificate from Senator James Seward honoring her special occasion and a plaque from the Girl Scouts.

Bertha's 90th birthday party was a Hawaiian theme. Some of Bertha's fondest memories as a child were riding in a horse and buggy, riding down hill on a sleigh to go to school.

Predeceasing Bertha, her parents, Arthur and Della Couse; husband, Charles L. Roketa; seven siblings, Paul, Charles, Harry and four that passed at an early age; four sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; two nieces and cousins.
Bertha is survived by one son, Charles A. Roketa, Oneonta; two daughters and their spouses, Marie and Elmer Eichler of Bradenton, Fla., and Crystal and Thomas Gale of Milford; two granddaughters, Karen Eichler of Bradenton, Fla., and Michelle Anne (Gale) Gray and her husband, Robert Gray of Cape Cod, Mass.; two great-grandsons, Kobe Gale and Michael Gray; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Tanika Gray and Kino Gray; one brother-in-law, William Ronovech of Oneonta; maternal cousins, Ruby Chase and Dorothy Konchar; cousins, nieces and nephews. Susan Eichler of Portlandville, who was like a daughter to her and her husband, Richard Eichler, friends at the Otsego Manor; and her beloved Keith The Cat.

As Bertha said, some people touch our lives and help us in so many ways, give us strength, courage, compassion, medical treatment, and some laughs.

Keith Velasco was Bertha's Hero. She named her beloved cat after him Keith The Cat. This cat gave her comfort and companionship and went everywhere with her. The family will forever be grateful to Keith for being such an important part of her life.

Bertha especially wanted to thank her son-in-law, Tom Gale, for all that he did for her.

Thank you to Dr. Susan Huffman for years of quality care, Bassett Emergency Room, Bassett SCU Staff, Third Floor Medical Floor Staff, Kai Mebust, MD and his team for the wonderful care, Milford Emergency Squad, Kevin Ray at the Otsego Manor, Chaplain Betsey Jay and Pastor Teressa Sivers of the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta.

Bertha's wishes were to have no calling hours, to have a graveside service and be placed to rest beside her beloved husband, Charles.

The service to celebrate her life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.

Following the graveside service, family, friends, and neighbors are all welcome to join the family for a reception to celebrate her life at the Milford Town Hall in Portlandville.

Bertha loved flowers and they are welcomed. Donations may be made to the Milford Emergency Squad and St. Judes' Children's Hospital in her memory.

Online condolences may be made at www.lhpfuneralhome.com.

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.