Bertha M. Brisk

1932 - 2025

Bertha "Muggs" M. Brisk, age 92 of Little Falls, MN, passed away on July 5, 2025 in her home.

A celebration of life will be held from 10:30 to 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at the Gathering Place, Holy Family Catholic Parish, Belle Prairie. A burial will take place at 2:00 pm at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Ripley.

Bertha "Muggs" Marion Brisk was born on November 15, 1932 to Arne and Mary (Gustafson) Martilla in Ely, MN. Bertha grew up along the Burntside River in Ely along with her brother, Billy and cousins Myrna and Lois. She was a proud graduate of the Ely High School in 1950 and would attend many high school class reunions to reminisce about the high school days. Edmund Brisk entered into her life and the couple married at the Holy Cross Church, Harding, MN on June 21, 1952. Bertha and Edmund lived north of Harding on the farm for a brief time. When the kids became school age a move was made to Belle Prairie where a new house was built. Bertha spent many years doing bookwork for the construction company, baking, taking care of her annual flowers, reading a book, running for parts, going to bid lettings or waiting for Edmund to make it home for the weekend from the road job. Bertha and Edmund downsized to Maple Island after the house was sold. It was at Maple Island where Bertha spent her last years by watching the birds and squirrels from the patio window and reading her books.

Bertha was an avid reader; she would start out with the daily newspaper and then go to one of her many books. She made many trips to the library and bookstores for a new book. There was a constant flow of books coming from Alaska, Arizona or Minnesota for her reading pleasure. In the meantime she would do the daily crossword puzzle. During the day the radio would be dialed to MPR or Albany for her listening pleasure. On Friday night the TV was tuned to the Almanac and on Saturday night it was the Prairie Home Companion on MPR.

Bertha liked to go to garage sales and estate sales; the house started to become overtaken by the bargains. She discovered that you can get more bargains if you go to an auction to get a car full. She would travel many miles to attend an auction, Edmund was the packer and carrier of the bargains. Edmund told her that she needed to do something with the bargains. A new adventure began. Bertha found a place that she could sell her items, the Antique Mall of Rogers where she had a booth for 36 years. She tried the flea markets but she said her best market was the Antique Mall.

Bertha was a dedicated volunteer for many years as a Pink Lady at St Gabriel's Hospital.

As fall and winter approached she and Edmund would journey to the Southwest to stay for a few weeks or months. Bertha was happy to have two of her daughters living in the Southwest area so they wouldn't have to pull a trailer from Minnesota and were able to stay in a home instead of small trailer.

Bertha traveled many times to Finland, her first trip took her to Germany first to stop and visit Sam and then she would travel to Finland, where she met many of her relatives for the first time. Many more trips were taken to Finland to visit the relatives, enjoying the food, going to the sauna and to bring home Finnish glassware to enjoy. Bertha had cherished her memories in her travels to Finland with her last trip being on 09/11. The Finnish relatives would in turn travel to the United States many times. A couple weeks prior to her passing she had an enjoyable visit with Marjut and Pauli and was able to talk Finn with them. Bertha was a proud Finlander.

Bertha would take several trips to Alaska to visit David. It was in Alaska where she would discover Alaskan art.

Left to cherish her memories are her six children: James (Sandra) Brisk, JoAnne (Patrick Mclain) Brisk, Nancy Brisk, David Brisk, Debra (Kipp Wyse) Brisk and Maribeth Brisk; her bonus child, nephew David (Sam) Possin, who was always a part of the family; grandchildren: Adam (Ann) Brisk, Luke (Amy) Brisk, Elizabeth (Trevor) Peterson, Oliver Syme, Bjorn Syme, Chelsea Deterding, Calvin Wyse; great-granddaughters: Nora, Adelaide, Lydia, Sydney and Felicity; step great-grandson, Adam; her brother, Raymond (Dorie) Martilla of Ely; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Virgil and Babe Brisk; sister-in-law, Irene Brisk; nieces and nephews and relatives in Finland.

Bertha was preceded in death by husband, Edmund; son-in-law, Lawrence "Larry" Syme; niece, Lois Jane (Tinker) Petrick; brother, Johnny Ojala; sisters: Hulda Tjader, Edna Possin, Vivian Larson; her close cousin, Myrna (Erling) Kirkman; relatives in Finland.

When asked how she was doing she would always respond by saying I am fine. She was a private person who kept to herself and would share very little with family and friends. May we all be fine as we go forward in our journey.

Share with one another your memories of Bertha "Muggs" at the celebration of life in your casual dress.