Bertha Holmes, age 87, of New Prague, died Saturday, March 22, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.  Bertha was born April 14, 1926 in Aitkin, MN to Thomas J. & Mary (Beireis) Murtaugh.  She attended the parochial school in Aitkin and the public high school.  Bertha married Kenneth C. Holmes on October 17, 1947 in Minneapolis.  The couple would make their home in St. Louis Park and Brooklyn Center.  After Kenneth’s death in 1987, Bertha moved to Carson City, NV and finally to New Prague.  She was a homemaker with a very creative artistic talent.  She enjoyed travel, playing cards, and loved listening to concertina music, embracing the Czech ethnicity of her adopted New Prague.  She was a member of the Czech Heritage Club.

Bertha is survived by her significant other, Harry Dietz of New Prague; daughter, Paula (& Mark) Quist of Coon Rapids; son, Daniel (& Caroline) Holmes of Osseo; grandson, Blane Holmes.  She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth C. Holmes on November 1, 1987; brothers, Warren & Leo Murtaugh; sisters, Agnes Murtaugh, Florence Erickson, Ruth Cartie.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Kevin Clinton officiating.  Visitation will take place 1 hour prior to mass also at church.  Burial will occur at a later date to be determined.  Lunch will follow mass at the KC Hall in New Prague.