Bertha J. Rickgauer was born July 17, 1904, at Bristow, Nebraska, to Henry and Eva (Ness) Rickgauer.

When she was six years old, her family moved to an island on the Missouri River, across the river from Springfield, South Dakota.  From there the family moved to Wagner, South Dakota, and in 1916 they moved again to an island, this time near Platte, South Dakota, where the family farmed and sold produce.

Bertha was united in marriage to Wilford Totton on May 20, 1922, at Lake Andes, South Dakota.  This union was blessed with eight sons.

Their first home was near Lucas, South Dakota, then in the spring of 1925 they moved near Misson, South Dakota, in Todd County.  In the spring of 1928 they moved near Norris and in 1930 they filed a homestead in Mellette County.  She has lived in Mellette County ever since.

After her husband Wilford's death in 1967, she traveled across the United States to visit relatives in Oregon, Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois, and other places closer to home.  She became known as the "Traveling Grandma."

Besides her family responsibilities, she has babysat for numerous families over the years.  Her life centered around her family and friends.  She loved being involved in gatherings and activities that she could visit with others.  Bertha had a positive outlook on life and could find something good to say about everyone she met.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Grateful for having shared her life are her six sons, Rex Totton and Jake Totton, both of Kadoka, Richard Totton of Norris, Robert Totton of Murdo, Will Totton of Miami, Florida, and Vernon Totton of Port St. Lucie, Florida; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; one brother, Edward Rickgauer of Gillette, Wyoming; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Wilford, she was preceded in death by two sons, Bruce and Kenneth; one granddaughter; two great-grandchildren; her parents; one brother and one sister.

Services
Sunday, August 9, 1992
2:00 p.m.
St. John's Lutheran Church
Norris, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Tom Zeller

Music
Ellen Totton - Organist
Congregational Hymns

Ushers
Charles Totton - Darrell Totton

Active Pallbearers
Deborah Totton - P. Steven Totton
Steven Totton - William Totton
Sal Reza - William Rockett

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Norris Cemetery
Norris, South Dakota