Dorothy Bertrand

Dorothy LaVerne Huettig Bertrand, 95, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at her home.

She was born in Cape Girardeau County Aug. 28, 1926, daughter of Oscar and Frieda Klaus Huettig. She and Harry F. Bertrand were married Aug. 31, 1946, in Perryville, Missouri. He died April 24, 2017.

After graduating from College High School in 1944, Dorothy was employed by Rueseler Motor Co. She worked several years at the State Auto License Bureau. She retired as secretary to the superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District in 1991 after many years there.

She was a past president of the Alma Schrader PTA and the Cape PTA Council. She was also active in the Girl Scouts, serving as vice president of the Otahki Council and troop co-leader.

She was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 3838, serving as secretary, treasurer and president, and serving as VFW District 15 Auxiliary president and secretary of the Missouri State VFW Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Mason O. Yarbrough Marine Corps League Auxiliary Unit 426.

Dorothy was active in the Cape County American Cancer Society for 25 years, including serving as secretary and chairman of the Area Cancer Prevention Study.

She was a member and past president of the Girardot Chapter of the National Secretaries' Association (now IAAP).

She was a member and past president of the local Mis-Sco-Deau Association of Educational Office Professionals and was a member and past president of the Missouri Association of Educational Office Personnel (MAEOP). She was honored to be named the 1989 MAEOP secretary of the year. She was a life member of both the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP) and the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA).

Dorothy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, transferring from Hanover Lutheran Church in 1955. At Trinity she served several years as a Sunday school teacher. She was a member and past president of the Trinity Ladies' Junior Aid/Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) and a member and past president of the Trinity Guild. She was an active member of the LWML, serving as president of the Cape Girardeau LWML Zone from 1998-2002, and was a member and past president of the Hanover Ladies' Aid/LWML.

She is survived by a daughter, Barbara Bage of Ballwin, Missouri; a son, Michael (Kim) Bertrand of Marion, Montana; a daughter-in-law, Cherri Bertrand of Jackson; five grandchildren, Emily (Jon) Wade and Andrew (Bly) Bertrand, both of Jackson; Jonathan (Liisa) Bage of Helsinki, Finland; Brian (Shannon) Bage of Wildwood, Missouri; and David (Stephanie) Bage of Apex, North Carolina; nine great-grandchildren, Ayla and Autumn Bage, Peyton Bage and Linnea Bage, Kevin, Ben and Dominic Wade, and Graham and Jagger Bertrand. Also surviving is a nephew, Richard (Lynnore) Meyer, and several great-nephews and great-nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry F. Bertrand; son, Harry F. Bertrand Jr.; brother, Wilbert Huettig; sister-in-law, Delma Huettig; sister, Ruby Meyer; brother-in-law, Martin Meyer; nieces, Marilyn Huettig Mirly and Shirley Ann Roth; and son-in-law, Mark Bage.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Burial will be in the Hanover Lutheran Church Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all of the individuals who helped Dorothy live an independent life in her home for all these years. To all of the family, friends, neighbors and health care workers: THANKS!

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.