HOLLANDALE — Bertha Willborn, cherished mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away Monday, July 16, 2018, at age 86 at Meriter Hospital in Madison.

Bertha was born Jan. 14, 1932, in Monticello, the daughter of Swiss immigrants Gustav and Klara (Bauman) Bruehlman. She grew up on the family’s farm near Argyle and attended school in Argyle. She married Lester Willborn on July 20, 1949, and together they had three children and seven grandchildren.

Bertha and Lester made Swiss cheese together throughout their married lives, including at the Moscow Center Cheese Factory near Hollandale where she resided until her passing. She had an unmatched work ethic and was integral to the cheesemaking process. She continued her working career at Stauffer’s in Blue Mounds after the couple retired from cheesemaking.

Bertha was known for her generous and caring spirit, greatly enjoying time spent with her children, grandchildren, siblings and other relatives by giving them her priceless time, attention and love. She relentlessly encouraged her children and grandchildren’s educational and career aspirations, always telling them they could achieve their goals with hard work and determination. Bertha had a particularly close bond with her grandchildren Cassie and Cameron, serving as a second mother to them. She was proud of her Swiss heritage and was well-known for her Reuben sandwiches and potato salad. She enjoyed gardening and flowers and was spotted in her garden operating a large tilling machine up until her passing. She also was a true Brewers baseball fan and could outmatch anyone with details about players, statistics and games. She was a wonderful card and game player, enjoying Euchre, Poker, Nine-Hole Golf and family-favorite Eile mit Weile (Parcheesi) with any competitors brave enough to take her on. She had a soft heart for cats throughout her life and will be missed by her three current feline companions, including her beloved purebred Himalayan, Rufus. She, quite simply, was tough, spirited and a true example of enduring love, dedication to family and setting the right example for those who have come after her.

Bertha is survived by her children Karen (Neil) Bogenschneider of Verona and Steven (Elizabeth) Willborn of Lincoln, Neb.; her son-in-law Jim Colson of Blanchardville; and her grandchildren Bret Bogenschneider of Vienna, Austria, Ross Bogenschneider of Tokyo, Japan, Emily Willborn (Abdallah Zihni) of New York, N.Y., Cassie (Matthew) Perenchio of Norwalk, Anne Willborn (Michael Trestman) of Oakland, Calif., Jane Willborn of Seattle, Wash., and Cameron (Jazmin) Colson of Sheboygan. She is further survived by her siblings Ida Gerber of Monroe, Liz Johnson of New Glarus, Gus (Marcia) Bruehlman of West Frostproof, Fla., and John (JoAnne) Bruehlman of Argyle. She is further survived by her nieces and nephews, other relatives and dear friends. Bertha was preceded in death by her husband Lester in 1994; her daughter Pam Colson in 2017; and sister Klara in 1934. Bertha will be greatly missed and forever fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A visitation will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. on Monday, July 23rd at New Hope Lutheran Church in Blanchardville. Funeral services, with the Rev. Michelle Elfers officiating, will be at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Argyle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated and checks sent to the Iowa County Humane Society or the American Cancer Society.