Bertha Irene Abrams

Bertha (Bert) Abrams entered her eternal home in heaven just 3 days short of her 101st birthday. She took ill on Monday afternoon & slowly slipped peacefully into eternity early Tuesday evening— in her own bed with loved ones by her side. It was just the way she prayed it would be. Bertha was born to William & Ida Lunger and was the 6th of their 7 children. She was born & grew up in a house her father built on the Van Buren Rd. just north of Everson. She spoke of a very happy childhood and said her family was blessed to never be cold or hungry as other families were. Even though her mother died when she was 13 and her father when she was 16, they taught her so much in those few short years. The family was very active in the Presbyterian Church, down the road, where they had ‘their own pew’—thus, her whole life church was important to her and she was always very active in the many churches she attended over the years. Her parents were very charitable — she carried that learned trait throughout her life and many people benefited from her gifts. The family was also very musical and their home was always filled with song. Every Sunday evening after church they played instruments & sang hymns together — her love of music was a direct result as she sang alto and played the piano by-ear. Her folks were always involved in large family gatherings and had friends for dinner & picnics often —she carried on this tradition in many ways. A book could be written with all the things she recited that her “mama said” and her life was lived following these instructions. She graduated from Mt. Baker High School at the age of 16 and married Dale Leech the following year. Together they had one son. In 1937 she married Harry Telgenhoff and to them were born three more children. After Harry’s death in 1977 she met and married Cecil Abrams in 1984. Cec died in 2006. Bert was an exceptional seamstress & cook; so, she used both these skills to take care of her family and also for employment. She worked for Kale’s Cannery until her second marriage. She cleaned several medical offices, some private homes and custom sewed for many people in the county. When her children were all in school she worked in Ferndale for Flaherty’s Bakery and then the Western Café until retirement. She was a special mother, grandmother & friend. She was preceded in death by Harry & Cecil, her son Jerry Leech, daughter Sharry Hersman, and oldest granddaughter Jody Leech Martin. She is survived by her son Martin Telgenhoff (Marilyn) of Kirkland and daughter Nancy (Ron) Haugness of Custer, plus 12 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren & 41 great-greats. . It would be impossible to count all the people that just ‘call her’ Grandma Bert. The family would especially like to thank all the staff at Meadow Green Assisted Living for their love and care shown to her for the past almost six years. She is now hearing her Lord say, “Well done good & faithful servant”. A celebration of that life will be held at New Life Fellowship, 810 E. Pole Rd., Lynden, on Wednesday, Nov. 23rd, 1:00 pm. Donations can be made in her honor to your favorite charity.

Bertha Irene Abrams

November 18, 1915 - November 15, 2016