Bertha Alice Wohlenberg was born on 28. May. 1916 at near Cooks Corners, Center Twp., Porter County, Indiana. She was the daughter of
Frederick William Wohlenberg and
Edith Mariette Bull.
Bertha Alice Wohlenberg appeared on the census of 22. Apr. 1930 at Liberty Twp., Porter County, Indiana.
She died on 6. Dec. 1998 at Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, at age 82.
The Vidette-Times, Munster, Lake Co., Indiana, on December 8, 1998 [Pages A-1 and A-6]: Stalbaum recalled as historical authority Funeral services Wednesday for former curator, lifelong resident. BY JOHN REED Times Staff Writer VALPARAISO -- Porter County native Bertha Stalbaum, who played a major role in perserving Porter County history, including the Old Jail Museum and the Memorial Opera House, died Sunday at the age of 82. She was curator of the Old Jail Museum, 153 S. Franklin St., for more than 25 years in the 1970s and 80s and was Porter County Historian. She had been a member and officer of the Porter County Historical Society most of her life. Her efforts weren't limited to history. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Valparaiso Women's Club, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Heritage Lutheran Church, the Northern Indiana Historical Power Association and the Indiana Historical Society. 'She knew so very much about everything and everyone. She always had an answer for everyone who came into the museum. She is going to be very sorely missed,' Bonnie Cuson said. Cuson said she knew Mrs. Stalbaum since she was a young girl, and had worked with her at the museum before becoming curator herself a few years ago. 'She was as much a part of our history as any of those treasures in the museum. She was the person everybody went to when they wanted to know about our history. She put history first and realized the importance of our history to our future,' said Phyliss Brandy, president of Historical Preservation of Porter County. Jane Fryer, Cuson's mother and secretary of the Historical Society, also knew Mrs. Stalbaum for many years. 'She was one of the most outstanding people we have had in Valparaiso. She has been a very influential person. She took the museum from the third floor of the courthouse to the Old Jail. She, and her husband Trevor, have made that museum what it is,' Fryer said. 'She was the backbone of the Historical Society. I admired her for all her background. She knew just about everything that could be known about Porter County,' said Alan Loomis, Historical Society President. Mayor David Butterfield said he knew of Mrs. Stalbaum's fascination with history from his days as a Valparaiso schoolboy. 'I worked with her for many, many years. She did a lot for the community, and she will be missed.' Butterfield worked with her on restoration at City Hall, and said she was instrumental in getting the 1916 Sauk Trail historical plaque saved when the Carnegie Library was being remodeled. Last summer, she unveiled the plaque when it was re-dedicated in a ceremony at City Hall. Her family came to Porter County in the early 1800s, and she was born to Fred and Edith Wohlenberg near Cooks Corners on May 28, 1916. Friends said she was related to, or had close ties to, most of the early families which settled the area. She was a graduate of the former Liberty Township high School. On Feb. 27, 1936, she married Trevor Stalbaum in a ceremony performed by the Reverend Henry Braun of Chesterton Methodist Church at her parents home on Moss Lake. She and Trevor lived at 951 West St., and their home is the site of an old Civil War campground. A plaque honoring the Ninth Infantry marks the site. Joan Lane, DAR Regent, said Mrs. Stalbaum's mother also was a DAR member. 'She held many offices, was involved in many activities, and was Regent from 1976-1979,' Lane said. Mrs. Stalbaum joined the DAR in 1962 and also was active in many of the organization's national scholarship activities. 'She loved history. She got us involved when they were collecting money to preserve the Memorial Opera House, and was instrumental in saving the Sauk Trail plaque,' Lane said. Mrs. Stalbaum is survived by her husband, Trevor. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary in March. Also surviving are a son, Earl Stalbaum, of Columbia, S.C; and a daughter, Edith DeMass of Valparaiso, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Wallace W. Wohlenberg, and a granddaughter, Lorelei Demass Klahn. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Heritage Lutheran Church, the Rev. Joe Ostafinski officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, at Moeller Funeral Home.
Obituary for Bertha Alice (Wohlenberg) Stalbaum was published in The Vidette-Times, Munster, Lake Co., Indiana, on December 7, 1998: Bertha A. Stalbaum Valparaiso Bertha A. Stalbaum, 82, of Valparaiso, died Sunday, December 6, 1998. A lifetime resident, she was born May 28, 1916 in Porter County to Fred and Edith (Bull) Wohlenberg and was a graduate of Liberty Township High School. She was the retired curator of the Porter County Historical Society Museum and served as the Porter County Historian. She was a member of the Valparaiso Women's Club, having served as treasurer, a volunteer with RSVP and a past DAR Regent. Bertha was an active and faithful member of Heritage Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Heritage Circle. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Trevor, whom she married on February 27, 1936, at the home of her parents on Moss Lake. Also surviving are a son, Earl (Beth) Stalbaum of Columbia, South Carolina, and a daughter Edith (David Reeves) DeMass of Valparaiso; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Wallace W. Wohlenberg and a granddaughter, Lorelei DeMass Klahn. Funeral services Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Heritage Lutheran Church, the Rev. Joe Ostafinski officiating. Burial at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday, 4 to 8 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso. Memorials may be made to Heritage Lutheran Church. She was buried on 9. Dec. 1998 at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana.