Bertel Martha Roesser was born June 11, 1925 in Lixheim, France. Bertel was the first-born daughter of Charles and Gretel (Ott) Roesser. Bertel's childhood and teenage years were spent living in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France.

During World War II, the Alsace-Lorraine region of France was in the heart of fighting between Germany and France. France became an occupied country, and the people in this area of France experienced much during the wartime.

Bertel's younger brother, Albert, who was 14 years old, picked up an object, not knowing that it was a grenade. The grenade exploded and Albert was injured and singed on the forehead. He was taken to the American dispensary in Lixheim, but not able to be helped with the injury. He was taken by ambulance to Phalsbourg, France to the American Medical Hospital for treatment. He returned home to Lixheim where he would go for weekly treatments at the dispensary. It was at this dispensary that Bertel met Ray Park, a medic in the U.S. Army.

Ray pursued his romantic interests in Bertel by catching a ride in a jeep coming to Lixheim from Phalsbourg, and then returning by jeep to Phalsbourg to the American Medical Hospital.

During World War II, Ray's army unit moved to different locations. Bertel waited for his return to Lixheim when the war ended. Ray proposed to Bertel, but first told her he would return to America for a couple of years. Then, he would return to France to marry her.

Ray did return to America where he worked at Park Produce. When he had saved enough money, he returned to Lixheim, France where he married Bertel on May 20, 1948. The newlyweds remained in France for three months visiting with Bertel's Roesser family. In August of 1948, Ray and Bertel returned to America by ship. They arrived in New York at Ellis Island, where Bertel would receive her passage papers to enter America. At this time, her name was changed to Bertha Martha Park.

Ray and Bertha traveled by train to Kansas City, MO. Ray bought a new car and the two traveled to Protection, KS where they would buy a house and make their home. To this union four children were born: Dan Park, Janice Park, LeeAnne Park, and Patricia Park.

Ray and Bertha were married forty-one years. Ray passed away in November of 1988. Bertha moved to Missouri to live with her daughter, Janice, until 2002, when she then moved with Janice to Wichita, KS. She lived in Wichita until the time of her passing on July 21, 2019, after a brief illness.

In addition to her husband, Bertha was preceded in death by her parents: Charles and Gretel Roesser of Lixheim, France; and her brother: Albert Roesser of Hellering, France.

She is survived by one sister: Juliette Culli of Phalsbourg, France; one godchild: Louise Wilhelm of Phalsbourg, France; her children: Dan Park, Janice Park, LeeAnne Park, and Pat (Paul) Winchester, all of Wichita, KS; three grandchildren: Paula (Chris) Hisel, Sara (Craig) Zielke, and Matt (Carrie) Winchester; and five great-grandchildren: Ellie, McKenzie, Lincoln, and Maxwell Zielke, and Hayden Winchester. Bertha was always happy when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to visit.

Calling times are from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS.

Graveside service is at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Protection Cemetery, Protection, KS, with Rev. Virgil White presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Hospice in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.