Norberta (Bertie) Poeppel was born January 17, 1923 at Marshfield Wisconsin, the daughter of Joe and Mary (Baus) Poeppel. She lost her mother when she was just 3 years old. Her sister, brother and herself were sent to relatives in the Hoven area. Her brother Herman was raised by Math & Anna Mertes. Bertie and her sister Agie were raised by Joe and Catherine Mertes.

She attended school through the eighth grade. She was only 16 when Joe Mertes passed away. Agie and Bertie worked in the Hoven area milking cows, working as nannies, and any other jobs the depression era would afford. When the war began, Agie and Bertie went east to work in factories making everything from shoes to vacuum tubes for the war effort.

After the war she moved to Minneapolis and worked at the Bemis Bag Co. She became pen pals with a young Army veteran from South Dakota named Harry VanderMay. Soon Harry was living in the Twin Cities taking mechanic training. They were married in Minneapolis on June 10, 1950. After the wedding Harry and Bertie moved to the family farm and ranch in South Dakota. They have lived on the farm and ranch northeast of Long Valley their entire married life, building their own house, working the land, and raising their four children. She also helped raise two of her grandchildren, Bryce and Emelia.

Bertie was a great cook and everything from her kitchen always tasted better even if you used the same recipe. She loved her big garden and her flowers. Bertie was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Norris and Our Lady of Victory in Kadoka, teaching catechism in Norris for many years.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Harry; four children, Paul and his wife Ruby, Diane and her husband Baxter Hogen, Vern, and David; 4 grandchildren, Bryce VanderMay, Elijah Hogen, Isaiah Hogen, & Emelia VanderMay; 5 step grandchildren; 6 step great-grandchildren; a sister Pat (Jim) Reckner; and brother Ray Poeppel.

She was preceeded in death by her sisters, Agnes and husband Dick Scholz, Rose Thuente, & Ella Mertes; brothers Herman Poeppel, & Joe Poeppel; and daughter-in-law Anita VanderMay.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 5-7 p.m. with a rosary service at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.

Interment will follow at the Kadoka Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Elevator Fund.