Bertha Louise (Smits) Kazmierczak

Bertha (Bertie) L. Kazmierczak went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 25, 2015. Bertie was born July 2, 1924 in De Pere to the late George and Martha (VanderHeiden) Smits. Bertie was a lifelong resident of De Pere and member of St Mary Parish. Bertie will always be remembered by family and friends who dearly loved her for her selflessness, devotion, and kindness. Bertie always put the needs of others above her own, forever maintained her strong faith in God and had the unique ability to endure hardships and still make others feel good with a simple smile and kind words. Bertie touched many young people’s lives through her many years of work with the Girl Scouts, 4-H, and the Food Services Department at St. Norbert College. She won the 4-H Leader of the Year Award in 1975 for her 26 years of dedication to 4-H. She will also be remembered for her beautiful quilts, skillful sewing, being the Queen Bee and the Cookie Grandma. “Bert’s Kids” are Kathy (Rich) Jauquet, Joyce (Jim) Bishop, Steve (Kathy) Baeten, Monica (Charles) Goddard, Mark (Aida) Kazmierczak, and Mary Jo (Chris) Pirlot: grandchildren Aaron (Debbie) Jauquet, Amy Jauquet, Adam (Lisa) Jauquet, Matt (Heather) Cassidy, Teri (Gary) Gereau, Craig (Sarah) Cassidy, Brook (Leisha) Maurer (fiancé’ Mike Borman), Jamie (Jason) Joyce, Christopher (Natalie) Baeten, Javier, Mark, Thomas and Cristina Kazmierczak, and Katie and Jared Pirlot; great-grandchildren Baylee and Isabelle Jauquet, Autumn, Hunter and Drake VanDeVen, Logan Jauquet, Kyrstin and Laura Cassidy, Carter and Shawn Gereau, Lilly and Ava Cassidy, Tyler Maurer, Dakota Maurer-Just, Justin and Jalynn Joyce and Brady and Brooks Baeten; her brothers, sisters and in-laws Marie Albers, Dorothy (Tom) Allcox, Mary Jane (Don) Van Remortel, Clayton (Rose) Smits, Dick (Joan) Smits, Ken (Sally) Smits, Ruth Smits, Barbara Smits, Mike Olejniczak; Buchkoskis (Tom’s nieces and nephews), many nieces, nephews, friends and special to Bertie the Willems family: Bruce, Mary Jane, Dustin, Derek and Kyla She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Donald Baeten and Thomas Kazmierczak, along with brothers, Henry, Bob (Foo), Jerry, and Don (Fling). Family will greet friends and visitors from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at St Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Dr., Ledgeview. The funeral mass will follow at 6:00 p.m., with the Rev. Judah Pigon, MF, and the Rev. John H. Harper concelebrating. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, De Pere. Cotter Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. The family would like to give a special thank you to Artisan Senior Living, Unity Hospice, and Arms of Angels for the wonderful care, concern and respect they showed to Mom. The Queen Bee has left the hive. Fly, be free MOM!