Bertha Petrina, 95, entered into rest on October 11, 2016. Bertha was born in Heerlen, Holland, but lived most of her life in the United States. She courageously left her large family in Holland in 1946 to sail overseas to her future husband, Tony, whom she met during the war. He was the love of her life. They lived in Buffalo, New York and Martinsville, Virginia but eventually settled in Aiken SC, where they built a strong family life together. Bertha spent her life caring for her husband and children, along with the many people fortunate enough to be called her friend. She was frequently described as "the sweetest lady". She loved to cook and learned to make Southern fried chicken and pecan pie, using pecans from the trees growing in her own backyard. Even though she tried to incorporate herself into the southern life, she still loved her traditional things from Holland like marzipan and Hummel figurines. To her friends, she was Bertha, but to family, she was "The Oma" and "The Mother." She cherished mothering in Aiken. Their family grew to five children: four boys, with a girl right in the middle. Bertha showed her love through acts of kindness. She mailed chocolate-chip cookies to her kids (and grandkids) away at college. She cross-stitched many gifts, especially Hummel patterns. In 1985, Tony died of cancer, but Bertha remained independent, insisting on mowing her own lawn right into her 80's. Throughout her adult life she volunteered with several organizations and was chosen "Woman of the Year" twice by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, John and Maria Hundscheid, her husband, Tony, her grandson, Michael and eight brothers and sisters. Survivors include her five children: Glenn (Gloria) Petrina, Richmond, VA; Jim (Joyce) Petrina, Memphis, Tn.; Mary (Mark) Vargo; Aiken, SC., Mark (Tammy) Petrina, Oldsmar, Fla.; Tom (Robin) Petrina, Moore, SC.; one sister, (Fien) in the Netherlands; one brother (George), Alabama; nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild. A Requiem Mass will be held at 11 am on Friday, October 14th, at the old St. Mary Help of Christians Church, 203 Park Ave. SE, Aiken, SC 29801, under the care of GEORGE FUNERAL HOME. A reception will follow the mass at the Wilcox Hotel and burial at the cemetery will be private. The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Shadow Oaks for their kindness and support given to Bertha throughout the last 7 years. We would also like to thank Regency Hospice for their strong support during her last week. If you choose to do so, memorial donations can be made to her favorite charity - St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.