Berta Kline

Berta A. Kline, 87, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away peacefully February 5, 2008, at St. Lukes Hospital in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by her family. Berta was born May 12, 1920 in Horace, Kansas to Bert C. and Ethel L (Bowman) Kline. Her father worked for the railroad and died at 38 in a train accident in 1928. Her mother was in education and became Superintendent of Schools in Greeley County Kansas while raising her girls. In the late 1950's her mother was in an automobile accident in Tribune, Kansas and confined to a wheelchair. After months of rehabilitation, the doctor's suggested Berta move her mother to Florida. Berta cared for her mother until her death in 1976. Berta graduated Hoisington High School in 1938, received a Bachelor's degree from Kansas State University at Fort Hays and earned a Master's degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. During WWII Berta was active in the home front war effort holding a position as a components inspector for building B-25 Mitchell bombers at the North American Aviation Plant in Kansas City. Berta taught school for over 40 years in Kansas and Florida. She was a Reading Specialist at Clearview Elementary School, retiring in 1982. Berta was a life member of the Una Chapter 119 Order of Eastern Star Hoisington, Kansas and belonged to the Gamma Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma. Berta attended Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, St. Petersburg, Florida, and was a life member of Florida Retired Educators Association and of Pinellas County Retired Educators Association Aside from taking full advantage of the climate and amenities of her St. Petersburg locale, Berta enjoyed travel, taking several cruses to the Caribbean and Alaska with her friend Agnes and her sister Lucile. Florida beach trips with her friends Barbara and Keen to celebrate birthdays and holidays. In 1984 Berta and Lucile took an adventurous cross country road trip driving from San Francisco to New York. In 2007 she once again hit the road driving with her niece Cindy from Florida to Idaho to be closer to her family. Berta loved dogs, especially her Sammy, Bandit and Josette. She loved to quilt, always by hand, no sewing machine for her. She made many beautiful pieces for her family and friends. Berta had a wonderful sense of humor, always being up beat, with a positive outlook. She was our biggest supporter in all of our endeavors, and we will miss her greatly. Berta's passing marks the end of an era. Berta is survived by her brother-in-law, Joseph Mangano of New York, nephews Philip (Cindy) Mangano of Eagle, Idaho, and Robert (Patsy) Mangano of Petaluma, California, and niece Tish (Kurt) Karpoy of Johnstown, New York; great nieces & nephews: Klaire, Karson & Kaye Karpoy and Joseph Mangano. She will also be remembered by her closest friends Howard & Barbara Hubble and Keen Ryan, who we thank for their special kindness and love of Berta for many years. A funeral service will be held in Tribune, Kansas on June 16, 2008, where she will be buried next to her grandparents, parents and sister Lucile. In her memory a donation to any animal shelter or a book to a school or library would be welcomed. Price & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.