Bertha Fahrig

Bertha Stice Fahrig was born to Elvira Marie Martinelli and Cecil
Stice at home in Rutherford, CA on December 1, 1924. Her grandmother,
Sarah Marie "Serefina" Merga Martinelli, was the midwife. Bertha was
raised on a small farm where St Suprey now stands. She lived there
with her mother, father and Uncle Elmer. Like many early farmers in the
area, they grew prunes, peaches, grapes and various row crops. Bert
went to school in Rutherford until high school, when she transfered to
St Helena High. She played for the softball team as a catcher. They
were not have been the top of the league, but they had a lot of fun.

In 1941, Bertha married her best friend's brother, 'Bun' Fahrig in
Reno, Nevada. He had recently left the Navy due to his father's
untimely death. Bertha's mother in law was their witness as they ran
off to get married. They lived in Rutherford with his widowed mother
Kittie Mahaska, and he worked at Mare Island. He was a Navy engineer
and didn't know much about the prune business his father left him. She
taught him farming and he taught her how to fix the tractor. In 1943,
Bun and his brothers in law decided to begin a fishing venture. They
bought an old fishing boat. The whole family worked together to
rebuild and launch the Kittie M on the Napa River and they made the
front page of the Register. The family fished out of Bodega Bay on the
boat to supplement their farm income. Bertha helped out a great deal
even though she was prone to being sea sick. Bun and Bert shared a
love of history and the outdoors. They spent many years roaming ghost
towns, geological phenomenons and fishing. She had a vast knowledge of
local history, prune farming, trapping, skinning, native American
artifacts, geology, and weather patterns. In 1970, she lost the love
of her life and had to take over the farm. Some local women spoke ill
over her for such an unwomanly task, but she did what had to be done
and she was good at it.

Bert was not just a farmer. More than farming and motherhood, it was
the calling of caretaking that most spoke to Bertha. She was a
blessing to many families and friends as she helped care for others.
She took care of Bun's grandmother and mother in their elder years.
She volunteered to be the unpaid caretaker for many friends and
family. She helped raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
When her daughter had to return to work, Bert tucked her
grand-daughters into the tractor seat next to her and took care of
business. When her granddaughters wanted college educations, Bert
stepped up to handle daycare duties so that both girls could finish
college.

Bert loved people. She was the epitome of a people person. She wanted
to know all about you and form a bond for life. If a person's worth is
measured in the friends they keep, she was a billionaire. Her
gregarious nature extended to just about any animal she encountered.
She was particularly fond of dogs and adored dachshunds. She was a
champion of abused animals and demanded that pet owners were
responsible for the lives of their pets. Up until the days before her
death, she was still dispensing advice on farming, pet sitting, and
running her company. She loved working with the folks at Napa Valley
Food Bank's Brown Bag program.

She is predeceased by her husband Marion Albert "Bun" Fahrig, her
daughter Kittie Marie Fahrig, niece Jean Marie Rutherford Bianco, and
her grand daughter Dawn Catherine Otterbeck. She is survived by her
granddaughter Fara Otterbeck , and her great grandchildren Stephanie
Nichole Small of Clearlake, Benkei Carth O'Sullivan of New York City,
Mariko Zyanna O'Sullivan of Calistoga, Kenji Brandon O'Sullivan of St
Helena, and Fiona Ariel Catherine Otterbeck of Vallejo. She is also
survived by her nephews Dean Rutherford of Shasta City and Walter
(Lorraine) McCarthy of Idaho. She is also survived by her great grand
niece Jennifer Bianco (Matthew) Sunseri of Napa, and Fillipo (Kelly)
Bianco of Hidden Lake.

There will be a graveside service at St Helena Cemetery on January 12,
2011 at 11 am. A reception will follow at her home. Donations can be
made to Napa Valley Food Bank.

Arrangements under the direction of Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena, CA.