Mary Agatha (Halder) Berkland, 103, Liberty, Mo., died September 3, 2018, at Liberty Hospital surrounded by family.
Agatha was born June 13, 1915 in Pocahontas, Iowa, and was the daughter of Joe and Rosalia Halder.
Agatha married Raymond Berkland on August 21, 1939, in Sleepy Eye, Minn. Agatha and Ray lived in Mason City, Iowa, for the majority of their lives until Raymond’s death in 1999. Agatha was a 5th grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School.
Agatha was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mason City, Iowa, and St. Ann Catholic Church in Excelsior Springs, Mo. “Grandma Sew” was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved dogs, crafts, sewing, and embroidery.
Agatha is survived by daughter, Mary Patricia “Pat” Neibergall of Liberty, Mo.; son, Terrill “Terry” Berkland and his wife, Carol, of Warrensburg, Mo.; five grandchildren, Scott Neibergall (Shelly) of Liberty, Mo., Kelly Paterson of Liberty, Mo., Thaddeus “Thad” Neibergall (Kelly) of Charlotte, N.C., Tracy Wagonner (Wes), of Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Rachel Berkland Dey (Chris) of Warrensburg, Mo.; sister, Theresa Baldwin of Billings, Mont.; and eight great-grandchildren.
Agatha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond Berkland; son-in-law, Thomas H. Neibergall; siblings, Adrian Halder, Lawrence Halder, Bonnie Devorak, and Rita Hupprect.
Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday, September 7, 2018, followed by a memorial Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, Excelsior Springs, Mo. A memorial service will be held at Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City, Iowa, at 9 a.m., Monday, September 10, 2018, followed by the committal of ashes at Elmwood Saint Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
I have many happy memories of your mother. I believe she was the first “lay teacher” at St. Joe and she taught me her first year there.
Our sincere sympathy from all of the Donnelly family.
