Bertha Ford

Bertha Ford, 73, of Axtell, KS died Thursday September 13, 2012 at the Life Care Center of Seneca, KS.

She was born September 7, 1939 the daughter of Albert Cain and Alice Schmidt Cain in Axtell, KS.  She graduated from Axtell High School in 1957 and later received her Certified Nurse’s Aide certification from Armijo Adult School in Fairfield California in 1975.

Bertha was married to Richard Ford on June 3, 1958 in Center, Texas.  He survives of the home in Axtell.  Richard being a twenty year veteran of the United States Air Force was stationed in many different places.  Shortly after marriage Bertha and Richard moved to Shreveport, LA and lived there until 1962.  From there they were stationed in Yokota Japan from 1962 until 1965.  In 1965 they returned to the states to be stationed in San Antonio, TX from 1965 until 1967.  They lived in Seneca, KS between 1967 and 1968 and then were sent to The Island Okinawa in the Pacific Ocean from 1968 until 1971.  They returned to the states again and were sent to Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, KS and were there for one year. Then in 1972 they moved to Osage City KS and lived there one year while Richard was stationed at Utapao, Air Force Base Thailand.  Richard finished his career in the Air Force at the Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA and was stationed there from 1973 until 1976 when they returned home to Axtell where they made their home.

Bertha is survived by three children, Douglas Ford, of Axtell, KS Debra Cooney of Barnes, KS and Roland Ford of Axtell; She is also survived by four brothers, Kenneth Cain of Axtell, KS, Galen Cain of Glenwood Springs, CO, and Ronald Cain of Overland Park, KS, Gary Cain of Port Hueneme, CA ; two sisters, Barbara Campbell, Axtell, KS and Bernita Engelken, Bucyrus, KS; and 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Alice Schmidt Cain and an infant brother Roland Cain.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the Popkess Memorial Chapel in Seneca, KS.  Rev. Robert Boyle will conduct the services.  Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Axtell, KS.  Casket bearers are Bob Torrey, Andy Torrey, Wally Cain, Lynn Curtis, Shannon Thatcher and Kieran Holthaus.   Honorary casket bearers are Cody Ford, Jacob Ford, Jesse Ford, Stephen Severin, and Suzanne  Nolte.  There will be a family visitation on Monday September 17, 2012 evening from 6-8 pm at the Landreth-Popkess Funeral Home in Axtell, KS.

Bertha will lie in state all day on Monday at the Landreth-Popkess Funeral Home in Axtell.  Then Tuesday the casket will be open prior to the funeral at the Popkess Memorial Chapel in Seneca.

A memorial has not yet been designated but currently is being left to the Bertha Ford Memorial Fund.  A specific charity will be named at a later date.

The Popkess Memorial Chapel in Seneca, KS is in charge of the arrangements.