Bertha Knight
March 3, 1923 ~ May 30, 2015
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Bertha Knight, 92, of Highmore and formerly of Gann Valley, SD, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Highmore Health, Highmore, SD.
Funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Burial followed at Spring Hill Cemetery, rural Gann Valley. Visitation began at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2015 followed by a 7:00 p.m., prayer service, all at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Bertha DeJong was born March 3, 1923, on a farm near New Holland, SD, to George and Hendricka (Teeslink) DeJong. She graduated from Gann Valley High School in 1940. On September 12, 1942, she married Wayne John Knight at Huron, SD. Following their marriage they farmed near Gann Valley, Rockham and Wessington before returning to Gann Valley in 1957. She was a former member of the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, the Gann Valley Lady Helpers, a 4-H Leader, Buffalo Chips Extension Homemakers, and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed baking and gardening and was known for her dry wit and twinkling smile.
Following Wayne’s passing in 1994 Bertha continued to farm until she retired to Huron, SD in 1998, where she enjoyed making new friends, travel, volunteering, walking and gardening. In 2010, she moved to Highmore.
Bertha is survived by 5 children: Lennis Craig Knight (Julie) of Highmore, Curtis Wayne Knight (Diane Bassham) of Gann Valley, Virginia Gayle Manning (Jim) of Aberdeen, Debra Kay Knight of Rapid City, and Bruce Irving Knight (Julie)of Fairfax, Virginia; 14 grandchildren: Tania Holzi (Andy), Eric Knight, Tiffany Grospic (Vladimar), Jessica Augustino (Josh), Dakota Knight, Jeff Knight (Rachelle), Andrea Knight Hutchins (Jeremy), Marta Hoffman (William), Marcy Schuh (David), Denise Manning (Jeff Stump), Tenille Manning-Heier (Chris), Nathan Knight (Tracie Peterson), Katherine Knight, Denton Knight ;19 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and her dear friend, Evelyn Wulff.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; three brothers at an early age, John, Henry and George; three sisters, Rickie Harvey, Jessie Norden, and Georgia Henrichsen; and four brothers, Louie, John, Richard and Lee DeJong.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Spring Hill Cemetery Association (P.O. Box 175, Gann Valley, SD, 57341).
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Bertha’s arrangements.
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Blessings to the family…she is smiling now with that smile we all enjoyed. God bless.
My deepest sympathy to you, Lennis, Curtis, and Gail. It has been a long time since our days at Posey School, I remember your mom as a quiet kind person. No matter how old our parents get it is still hard to see them go. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jerry Testerman Meek
Sorry to read about Gail’s mothers death. It is always sad when the last parent is gone. She will be missed by all that knew her. Our prayers to you and your family. Joan & Donnie
Bertha was a very special, sweet lady. The angels are dancing for joy to have her with them in heaven. My thoughts and prayers and hugs to you all.
Dear Cousins, Sorry to hear of Bertha’s passing, To each of you, thank you for sharing her with us. Your mother always has a sweet smile and was so kind in her visits with me. I will miss her. Gail, Lennis, Curtis, Debby, and Bruce. Much Love, Marie and Greg, and your friends in Valentine, too
I enjoyed her company when we visited the Knight farms on our pheasant hunting trips. I remember her having supper with us in the motorhome and laughing at our hunting stories. My sympathy to the family,
I enjoyed her company when we visited the Knight farms on our pheasant hunting trips. I remember her having supper with us in the motorhome and laughing at our hunting stories. My sympathy to the family,
All my sympathy. I always enjoyed visiting with Great Aunt Bertha at the reunions.
I knew Bertha and Wayne and Georgia taught me in high school.’
Please accept our deepset sympathy
We were so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. With sincere sympathy.
Bruce,
Maria and I send our condolences. I enjoyed reading about your mother. Salt of the earth tough from a big family and a giving woman. Now I know where you get your great sense of humor and wit from.
All the best,
Garth
For most of my life I have had 40 Aunts and Uncles and I am not sure how many cousins on both sides of my family. The up side is this created interesting family dinners, chaotic holidays, and wonderful stories . The down side is that as we all get older, year after year another family member is gone. So many to lose.
Aunt Bertha , your sweet smile will always remain with me. Deepest sympathy to Lennis, Curtis, Gayle, Bruce and Debra
My deepest sympathy to all of you, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Great memories of her warm heart, beautiful smile, and that twinkle in her eyes. I’m sure the Dejong ‘kids’ had a wonderful reunion. Probably playing a great card game, Wilbur too! Hugs to you all, Debbie
Bruce and the McKnight Family,
Craig and I are sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Thoughts and prayers for your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. It is evident that she bestowed much love to her family. Blessings to you during this time. Erin