In Memory of Bertha L. Kjar

Bertha L. Kjar, age 101, of Battle Creek, Iowa, formerly of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Monday, July 20, 2015, at Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2015, at the St. Johns Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa.  The Rev. Randy D. Cormeny will officiate. Committal services will be held at the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 24 2015 at the St. Johns Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Bertha Louisa Kjar was born on June 17, 1914 near Battle Creek, Iowa to George H. and Margaretha (Hammer) Strachbein.

Bertha grew up and received her education near Battle Creek and later moved to Ida Grove.

Bertha married Erik Kjar on September 4, 1937 in Elk Point, South Dakota. The couple were blessed with five children: Lillian, Murl, Larry, Marc, and Keith.

Bertha’s hobbies were gardening, sewing, reading, visiting with friends, and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Lillian Johnson of Princeton, Illinois; Murl (Terri) Kjar of Georgetown, Texas; Marc (Marsha) Kjar of Ida Grove, Iowa; Keith (Mindy) Kjar of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Linnea Kjar-Hopp Hackensack, Minnesota; grandchildren: Erik, Dean, Chris, Jason, Bradley, Aaron, Kathryn, Rachael, Christina, Erica, Annie, Allison, and Eliza; special friends & neighbors, Dale and Sharon Wellendorf.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, Chris and Margaretha Johnson; husband, Erik Kjar; brother, Gilbert (Wanda) Johnson; son, Larry Kjar; and son-in-law, Cal Johnson.