Bertha M. Conger

Bertha M. Conger, 95, of Davenport, passed away Monday, December 8, 2014 at Ridgecrest. Funeral services will be held at 10 am, Friday, December 12, 2014 in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Thursday at the mortuary.

Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Faith United Methodist Church or a favorite charity. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.

Bertha was born February 26, 1919 in Bettendorf; a daughter of Thomas and Alice (Sherwood) Jennings. She was united in marriage to Lonnie Allen Conger on July 2, 1939 at the Wesley Methodist Church parsonage, Muscatine, IA. He preceded her in death on January 2, 2012. For Bertha, family and extended family came first. She lived a life of sharing and love.

She was a charter member of Faith United Methodist Church, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and was active in the women’s groups for many years. She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary at Post 26 and National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Other memberships included the Gideons Auxiliary and KAABA Shrine Ladies. She was a participant in the Women’s Health Institute (WHI). Bertha was an excellent seamstress who made hundreds of garments for family and others. She was an avid reader. She was a runner-up in the Mrs. Iowa contest in 1963 and 1965. She enjoyed her 30 years as a realtor with Carroll and Company Realtors. Bertha and Lonnie enjoyed traveling by car to Lonnie’s countless meetings, conferences, conventions and so forth. They were privileged to make other trips by bus, train and ship. They drove thousands of miles to keep in touch with family and friends.

Those left to honor her memory include her children: Cary Alan (Carole) Conger, Sac City, Iowa; Larry Allan (Lin) Conger, East Derry, NH; Janice (Bill) DePover, Davenport; Clare (Jim) Frevert, Iowa/Florida; eight grandchildren John Conger (Kristine Minami), Christopher Conger, Marnee (Christopher) Michalman, Amanda MacDonald; Kent (Jane) Vensland, Kathy (Joe) Nohai, and Larry (Suzie) Frevert and Anne (David) Cable; two great granddaughters and eleven great grandsons, a sister, Grace Neff; sisters-in-law: Esto, Joyce and Shirley Jennings and brothers-in-law: Dale, Gerald (Jean) and Marvin (Judy) Conger; 29 nieces and 33 nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son, Steven Arthur Conger; and six brothers: John, Arthur, George, Frank, Thomas and Charles Jennings and two sisters: Ethel Plunkett and Edith Licht; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, 8 nieces and 12 nephews.