Bertha Amelia Kreiden

Bertha Amelia Kreiden (81) of Sandpoint, ID passed away on Saturday, 27, 2015 after a long and brave fight with Leukemia. Private family services will be held at a later time. Born, Bertha Amelia Jerger, on December 13, 1933 in Batesland, SD, Bert was part of a large family of Volga River Germans who immigrated from Russia. She was very proud of this heritage and passed on many great stories of her parent's adventures in Russia, their immigration to America, their hard work and travels in the mid-west, and the new stories and memories built from growing up in a large and loving family on a farm in Barnesville, MN. Thirty two years ago Bert passed through Sandpoint on a visit to her old home in Barnesville, MN, and she loved it so much she convinced her husband, Fred, and his sister, Lucy, to move there. Together they built a wonderful farm lush with gardens, fruit trees, and memories of her grandchildren running through the strawberry patch and telling campfire stories. Her parents would be proud to know that their Bertha carried on the tradition of building a life with love and hard work, and the rewards that follow. She will be deeply missed, and her stories and memories will live on. Bertha is survived by her husband Fred Kreiden, her son, Tom McCreery and his wife, Peggy. Her grandchildren, May, Erin, and James McCreery, and Great grandchild, Maya McCluskey. She will also be missed by her siblings, Manuel Jerger, Caroline Denby, Martha Robinson, and all of their extended families. And of course, her best friend, Jan McCusker. Bertha was preceded by her son James Gregory McCreery. Parents, Jacob and Amelia Jerger, and siblings, Alec, Catherine, Jacob, Rose, Walter, Ruth, and Paul. The family welcomes calls, letters, and shared memories.