Alma Marie Bertram, daughter of Frederick Rudolph Bertram and Clara (Prange) Bertram, was born on September 20, 1909, in rural Seward, Nebraska. She passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2007, at the Shenandoah Medical Center at the age of 97.

Her early life was spent in rural Nebraska until the age of 10, when her family moved to Yorktown, Iowa, where her father worked for the Farmer's Union Co-op. Alma received her education from Yorktown High School. In 1926, the family moved to Shenandoah where she spent the rest of her life. Alma went to work for Henry Field's Seed & Nursery in 1926 where she worked her way up to Supervisor before retiring in 1974. She continued to work part-time at Henry Field for another nine years and also worked part-time at Jewel's Dress Shop before fully retiring in 1989. Devoted to the welfare of her parents, Alma cared for them for many years. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, participating in a variety of activities. Alma was also a member of the Altrusa Club and eventually the Women's Club, the Beacon Club and the Afternoon Study Club. Alma loved bowling and bowled on leagues for years.

Preceding Alma in death were her parents; brothers, Raymond E., Harold and Rueben Bertram; and two sisters, Selma Sunderman and Lillian Meyer. She is survived by her sisters, Edna Norton of Seattle, Washington and Marie Lorimor of Shenandoah, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Lawrence Boye. Vocalist was Dean Adkins and organist was Karon Killion. The congregation sang, "How Great Thou Art" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". Casket bearers were Steve Lorimor, Brent Lorimor, John Giltner, Jr., Ted Millen, Don Wiser and Trent Moore. Attending the memory register were Barbara Bateman and Marian Sheldon. Caring for the flowers were Carma McLaren, Margaret Mooney, Norma Schaaf and Lillian Tiemeyer. Ushers were Howard Killion and Ron Malmberg. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.