Roberta Bortel
November 22, 1936 — October 30, 2010
Bert Bortel of Schertz, born November 22, 1936 in Matador, TX, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of October 30, 2010 after years of battling with diabetes. Bert was active in the Schertz community, volunteering in the diabetes clinic at Wilford Hall, teaching Religious education classes, making rosaries, and enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 1954, Bert married the love of her life, Jerry. The couple met while Bert worked as a switchboard operator, and Jerry was an airplane mechanic in the Air Force. After marring, the Air Force had them moving all over the world, including to Guam and Germany. Bert had 5 children and did what she could to make a normal life for the family, while moving frequently with the Air Force. In South Carolina at Donaldson AFB, Bert helped launch the Family Services group, to help soldiers and their families adjust to living at new bases. Bert loved to travel, even after Jerry retired from the military. She enjoyed seeing the world, meeting new people, and bringing rosaries to other countries. As a member of Our Ladies Rosary Makers, she would make rosaries and donate them to Brooke Army Medical Center priests to distribute to patients and their families. When injured warriors returned from military operations, they were given rosaries which Bert had made. After being diagnosed with type II diabetes, Bert had to learn a whole new lifestyle which included insulin, medicine, and doctors' visits. While it was a hard lesson to learn, she enjoyed sharing the information she had gathered with others struggling with the disease at the diabetes clinic. She touched many people's lives, and taught us all that diabetes is just another obstacle in the path of life. Bert's house was always full of children's laughter. She enjoyed having her 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren come to visit. She shared many great memories with all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and could not wait to share those stories with others on a regular basis. In her downtime, Bert enjoyed playing Bunco, Mahjong and dominoes. Bert is survived by: Husband-Jerry Bortel of Schertz, TX Children-Deborah Crosby (Francis) of Colorado Springs, CO, Donald Bortel (Cindy Avila) of Novato, CA, Donna Coronado (Rolando) of Portland, TX, and David Bortel (Suzanne) of Stockdale, TX. Siblings-R.J. Keller of Redmond, OR, Ann Gingery of Clovis, NM Grandchildren-Heather Graf (Nathaniel), Melissa Crosby, Charles Coronado (Harmony), Christopher Coronado, Chelsea Coronado, Chloe Coronado, Jessica Lessard (Jesse), Kayla Bortel, Alexander Bortel, Zachary Bortel, Laura Bortel, Michael Bortel, Victoria Bortel, Shane Bortel, Catrina Bortel, Elijah Bortel, Patrick Bortel, and Naomi Bortel. Great-Grandchildren-Spencer Graf, Trenton Graf, and Xan Coronado. Preceded in death by: Child-Ronald Bortel Parents-Agnes Brown and Clarence Keller and step-father Charles Brown Siblings-Betty Sue and Mary Emma Aldinger Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 from 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM with a Rosary to be Recited at 6:30 PM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Schertz. The Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 8:30 AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church co-celebrated by Monsignor Robbins and Father Greg Nevlud. Interment will be immediately after Mass at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. A lunch reception will follow for all friends and family to celebrate her life at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 509 Schertz Parkway in Schertz. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in her name to Our Lady's Rosary Makers, PO Box 37080, Louisville, KY 40233.
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