- Date Of Birth: November 13, 1929
- Date Of Death: September 27, 2019
- State: Colorado
Mary (Einink) and Bill Ritsema welcomed Bert into this world on November 13,1929 in Denver, Colorado. Bert joined sisters Betty (Swierenga) and Sadie (Keesen) and brothers Fred and Gary. Bert attended Denver Christian School, South High School and one year of Calvin College where, urban legend has it, she was kicked out for smoking.
Bert returned to Denver where she worked for Keebler (then Bowman Biscuit Company) and Lance Bjella Court Reporters where she learned to type as fast as the wind. In 1953, through mutual friends Bert was introduced to Jim Reynolds, then a Master Sargent in the Army. They were married in Denver in February 1954. Jim was discharged from the Army in 1955 and went to work for Lennox Industries. Bert continued her working career at University Hills Bank (now Chase), Affiliated Bank Shares and Partners, a non-profit youth mentoring organization.
Although they had no children of their own, both Bert and Jim were more than just an aunt and uncle to their many nieces and nephews. They were special friends, second parents, financial and emotional supporters and purchasers of everything the nieces and nephews sold through their school years. Bert lost Jim in April 2007 but stayed in touch with his family, especially his nieces and nephew in Denver.
When she wasn’t caring for her nieces and nephews, Bert’s favorite activities were golf (and lots of it), bridge and duplicate bridge (and lots of it) and reading as many books and she could. She also loved chocolate and her refrigerator was filled with funny sayings about golf and chocolate. For example, “Chocolate, it’s not just for breakfast anymore.” One other favorite thing was the Denver Broncos and everyone knew better than to call her during a game.
Bert was a friend of everyone she met and kept up with a wide circle of friends. There wasn’t anyone with whom she couldn’t have a wonderful conversation right after meeting them.
Bert always said she didn’t want to celebrate her 90th birthday and the Lord granted her desire. Bert is now with her beloved Jim, and while we will miss her more than we can say, she is happily where she wanted to be.
