Bertha Louise Fagerman

Bertha Louise Fagerman died of sepsis on December 2, 2024, comfortable in her own home. She was 90 years old. Known as “Louise” to her close family in the Boon area, she was preceded in death by her husband Carl Edwin Fagerman; Brothers Victor (Becky) Okoren and Michael (Betty) Okoren; Parents Victor and Bertha Okoren; and daughter-in-law Theresa Fagerman. Bertha had a full, rewarding life. She was born May 12, 1934, in Boon, Michigan, and recalled vividly her memories as a child when the day the world would end while on a school bus. When WWII ended, she ran across the neighborhood shouting its end, joyously telling all. While in high school, she eagerly studied the sciences and, after a near death event with poisoning from her band uniform’s blue die, she chose to stay an extra two years in school to learn all she could on self-fulfilling topics including cooking, canning, 4-H, sewing, shorthand, typing, and band. She studied hard. She graduated from Mesick High School in 1952. She graduated with honors as a Registered Nurse from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids with extended experiences in the Tuberculosis Ward in Pennsylvania, and as a community nurse in Grand Rapids, and many more. She graduated from University of Detroit Mercy as one of the first graduates in the State of Michigan to be a Nurse Anesthetist. She earned her Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and proudly became the first nurse anesthetist in Cadillac’s Mercy Hospital system in 1956. Bertha had high expectations of her future husband and shared her requirements with her Aunt Elizabeth Cameron. To her surprise, Aunt Liz set up a blind date with Carl Fagerman, and it was immediately obvious he met the requirements: exceedingly handsome, honorable, exuding integrity, religious, caring, family focused, highly respected, hardworking, and very intelligent. Shortly thereafter they were married happily for years. After having their first child, Carl and Bertha made the commitment to prioritize the rearing of the children over Bertha’s anesthetist career. She raised six children, being ever present and available for her family, something she could not do while working. In recent years, she reflected and repeatedly said she raised the five boys for the World and the sixth child was a daughter for herself. Carl and Bertha worked hard to teach their children to believe in God and Jesus Christ. They personally helped with homework, ensuring each child had a comprehensive education. They traveled with their children around the country, as a family unit, to let them gain a broad experience and see the wondrous sites and the world. They owned and operated a cattle farm in Cadillac, Michigan, involving the children in all aspects of the business, ensuring they had solid values and knew right from wrong. For pleasure and farm, they provided horses and ponies. Bertha was very spiritual and studied the Bible. She was dedicated to Zion Lutheran Church for many years, and being leader of the Women’s Group, she personally crafted the four Lent Banners that hang at Zion Lutheran Church to this day. In 1994, she was granted the titles of Spiritual Counselor and Minister by the Universal Life Church. In 2002 she earned her PhD in Religion. Bertha loved going for rides around Long Lake in Haring Township. She loved nature, saying her farm and all her property is “God’s Country”. She loved gardening and her flower beds. She enjoyed her dogs, cats, ponies, horses, cattle and wild turkeys. She was a very accomplished artist, painting oil canvases of wildlife, nature, and people. She was a great cook, feeding her children healthy, homemade meals on an enormous scale. She served as Haring Township Supervisor, as did her husband Carl. She loved to visit neighbors and having people visit her especially at her lake house. She never quit schooling herself – learning all things from nature, to God, to health, to metaphysics. She was blessed traveling around the world including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Egypt, Kenya, and Japan. Her first honeymoon was for the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In Japan, during her second honeymoon, she lost her purse on one side of the Japanese mountain range and was grateful when the police returned it to her the next day. She is an incredible Mother. She is survived by her children: David Fagerman, Jeffrey (Nancy) Fagerman, Timothy (Karen) Fagerman, Mark (Theresa) Fagerman, Patrick (Emily) Fagerman, and Anita (Stanley Padyjasek) and her annexed son David (Hazel) Gilbert; Sister Frances Okoren; Uncle Richard Kruley; Sister-in-laws Betty Okoren and Becky Okoren; with many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, December 9, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church in Cadillac with Pastor Scott Torkko officiating. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 10:00 AM until services. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Bertha Louise Fagerman

May 12, 1934 - December 2, 2024