Lois Eugenia (Matthew) Bertapelle

Lois Eugenia Matthew Bertapelle

   Lois Eugenia Matthew Bertapelle died on 28 May 2021 at her son’s home in Lakewood, Colorado. She was born on 25 September 1925 in Augusta, Montana to Louis Maximillian and Alberta Mary Margaret Berube Matthew. Louis delivered her because the midwife didn’t make it in time. She was the seventh of eight children, the youngest girl.

   Lois moved several times until 1935 when her family settled in Missoula, Montana. She graduated from Missoula County High School in 1943. During WWII she was a telegraph operator for the Northern Pacific Railroad.

   She married Antonio Enrico Bertapelle on 6 February 1946 in Deer Lodge, Montana. When he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in 1948, they were sent to Rantoul, Illinois. In 1958 they moved to Derby (now Commerce City), Colorado. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Commerce City. She was a Girl Scout Leader supporting her daughters. She created an unofficial pre-school in her basement for neighbor kids because Derby didn’t have any. She volunteered at the Commerce City Senior Center and was selected as Volunteer of the year in 2004.

Her biggest achievement was raising us five kids and keeping her sanity!

   She lived there until March 2016 when she moved in with her son and daughter-in-law. She loved babies, chocolate and strawberries.

   Lois was preceded in death by her parents, and all her siblings Dick, Florence, Albert, Alberta, Sally, John and Mark. Her husband and one daughter, Janice Kay Bertapelle-Anderson also preceded her in death.

   She is survived by her son Anthony (Connie) of Lakewood, Colorado, and daughters Alberta (David) Farnsworth of Tucson, Arizona, Linda (Terry) Bullington of Woodinville, Washington, and Alice (Scott) Ingram of Spring Texas, and son-in-law Jim Anderson of Brighton, Colorado. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 20 great- grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

   A memorial service will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Tuesday, 29 June2021 at 2:00 PM. Meet at Staging Area A by 1:40.The family will host a reception at her son’s residence following the service.

   In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made to your local hospice organization or to Lutheran Hospice, 3210 Lutheran Parkway, Building 20, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Lutheran Hospice provided great care and support to Lois and her son’s family during the time Lois was in their care.