Bertha K. Marcum passed away peacefully on January 23, 2021 with her family and her friends at her side. She had fought a courageous battle with congestive heart failure until the age 72. She was born in Williston, North Dakota on July 1, 1948 to Albert and Victoria (Gladue) Marion. She was the youngest of eight children. The family moved around and ended living around the Townsend area where Bertha attended Broadwater High School.
Bertha met the love of her life and partner, DelRoy S. Marcum in December of 65. After spending some time together they wanted to get married. They decided to hit the road and head to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Once they got there, Bertha realized she had forgot her birth certificate. They applied for it and waited for it to arrive. When it finally arrived on January 30, 1967 the got married. The newlywed couple traveled back to Toston, Montana to spread the good news to all their family and friends! This whole time, Bertha’s mother was worried and didn’t know where they went. She told DelRoy upon arrival she was about to call the cops on him for kidnapping. They would have celebrated 54 years together this Saturday. Together they had a total of eight children with five of them surviving.
As they built their family together she relishes in her role of being a mother. Teaching her kids the finer things in life like; sun tanning in a kiddie pool, being the last ones out at the Drive-in movie theater(we all fell asleep) or meeting DelRoy at the top of the North Hill coming back from his trip, often letting one of the children, ride with him the rest of the way back to town.
Along with her family she enjoyed several hobbies including bowling and crocheting. It was not uncommon to have the kids in tow when she went to the ally. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. One of her favorite meals to make was a Cabbage stew. Bertha also cherished making others feel loved, one of which was writing “I Love You” on the grandkids legs.
Family meant everything to Bertha and she cherished each and every one of her family members and prided herself on being a Grandma. Special occasions were one of her favorites, priding herself on being the first to send a message, sometimes even if that meant calling after the stroke of midnight! She was fair with all the grandkids birthdays; nobody could be treated extra special because she loved everyone equally. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren showing them how to cook, making sure they were well fed, and on occasion, treating them with a McDonald’s picnics in the park. A couple of her favorite sayings for the grandkids was when one of them would cough she would say “hands up” getting them to stop coughing, telling them to “Hold on to your pants”(if they wanted something) or letting out a large “ahhh” after a refreshing drink.
Bertha was also an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Tribe from Belcourt, North Dakota. She didn’t know much about her Native culture but she felt it when she would hear the beat of the drum and watch all the amazing dancers dance. She also supported the local Pow Wow by going to their fundraisers to get an Indian Taco and to watch her grandchildren dance. In her most recent years she was excited to attend the Pow Wow with her family showing tremendous support for grandchildren.
Bertha is survived by her husband Delroy, five children: Jodi Marcum, Jason Marcum (Alicia), Justin (Francis) Marcum, Jeremie Marcum, and Jamie (Tina) Marcum. Sisters; Roseanne Marion, and Dorothy Gorecki. Grandchildren; Johnathan, Daimon, Willie, Tyler, Jordan, Jerrica, Jaidon, Joscelin, Latisha, Darin, Dominique, Aiyana, Lakoda. Great-Granchildren; Addison and Delaney.
She is preceded in death by her father Albert Marion, Mother Victoria (Alvie) Benson. Siblings Donald, Robert, Joseph, Vernon, Daniel, and Grand-Daughter Chenoa Marcum
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday January 29, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday January 30, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday January 30, 2021
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Saturday January 30, 2021
VFW Post 10010
113 W. Main St.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday January 29, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday January 30, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday January 30, 2021
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Saturday January 30, 2021
VFW Post 10010
113 W. Main St.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Sandy M Marion says
Bertha was my husband’s aunt and she was one that cared about you and called to see how you are. We will miss you . By: Clifford and Sandy Marion and kids❤️
Keyanna Marion says
Bertha was my aunt. She was so caring, loving and amazing. She cared for everyone. She also called my dad and mom Sandy and Clifford Marion almost every day. We will all miss you Bertha. I love you
Diana Hall says
Delroy & family, I enjoyed my visits with you & Bertha & her precious smile & loving hugs! May the Lord put His loving arms around you and bring comfort. Hugs, Diana
June Jensen says
Bertha was my Cousin. She was a good mom , wife, friend. She had a big heart and it was full of love. I feel so lucky to be related to her and her family. We talked a lot on the phone over the last cpl years. Talked about kids and family and cooking. Her family was so important to her. She loved them with all she had. I will miss her and I will not say good bye. I’ll say I’ll see you again one day and we will carry on where we left off. My thoughts and prayers go out to her Hubby Delroy. Her children. Jason , Jamie, Justin , Jeremiah and Jody. And there family’s. Fly high, Dear Bertha your work on earth is done and it’s time to rest and rejoice, In Gods house with all those brothers who have been missing you. Your folks and all those waiting for you. We Love you and will miss you.
God bless and keep you. June and Brett 🦋💐🙏🦅
Jordyn L Marcum says
I have so many good memories with grandma, ever since I was little she had always been there! I’d always go to her house and stay for days on end over the summer! I remember going out to eat with her and when she didnt want to drive i remember riding her bike to Smith’s to get us both a burger! She loved all her grandchildren so much and her kids too, well she loved everyone who she had met no matter who it was I believe! I had so much fun just hanging out with her.
B J Benjamin says
Bertha was a good friend and I will miss her. We were neighbors in was and walked to school and talked every day. We lost contact for s few years . We met up again and talked on the phone. I will miss her and her up dates on her family. God bless her family and Delroy. Good bye my friend.
Ron and Tatiana says
We share our deep condolences with Bertha’s entire family. Love and hugs to all. We are in Mexico and will not be able to attend her memorial services. We will be with you in spirit.
Cousin Ron and Tatiana
Jaidon Marcum says
when i was staying with my grandma she would whisper “jaidon, jaidon, pssst jaidon” i would wake up its 3 in the morning and i would say “yes, Grandma” she would ask me “are you sleeping” i would say yes. Then she would reply “ok, you go back to bed”
Lee Connolly says
Lee Connolly
Sincere sympathy to all of Bertha’ s family. She was a very special person and I enjoyed our visits so much. She
would go to McDonald’s and always have to wait for the coffee to cool off . May your rest in peace Bertha. I will miss you so much.
Shelley Miller says
Sincere sympathy to all of the family.I’m so sorry I didn’t call and talk to her before this. We were so close in the early years since 1968. you both were so close to Carl and me until we divorced back in 1971 after Mike was born. It seamed that we became even closer when she had the other boys, and all the baby’s she lost. we cared for each other back then. Then Jack and I got married and you were the best man and Bertha was my maid of honer. All the memories of bowling through all those years.
I’m living down in Bridger, Montana now. Mike lives in Baker, Montana which is south east from me, he was the only reason I moved down here.
Terry lives in Butte,Montana and Carl is still in Helena. I can’t be live we’ve know each other for 45 years.
I plain on being there for the Services. My phone #406-850-0537. Take care and God Bless all of you.
CJ Kamerman says
Delroy and Family thoughts are with you in this time of your loss. I will never forget Bertha she was a hoot!!!!!!
CJ Kamerman and the twins Noah and Xander