Bertha G. Rookala, 92, of Columbia Heights, Minn. and a former longtime Bessemer, Mich. resident, died Sunday evening, June 21, 2009, at the New Brighton Care Center in New Brighton, Minn. The former Bertha Korhonen was born July 30, 1916, in Bessemer, the daughter of the late Charles and Kate (Muhonen) Korhonen. She attended kindergarten through the 8th grade at the North Bessemer School; 9th grade at Washington School in Bessemer; 10th and 11th grades at Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood; and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1934. After graduation, she worked for the WPA Sewing and Quilting Project and in later years, at Radio Station WJMS in Ironwood, the Bessemer National Bank, and the Gogebic County Sheriff's Office in Bessemer. Bertha was married to William Rookala on Sept. 26, 1936, at St.Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood, by the late Rev. Herman Matero. William preceded her in death on June 30, 1953. Bertha was a member and officer of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bessemer until it closed and joined with Sharon Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Social Ministry at Sharon Lutheran for several years. She was also a member of the VFW County Seat Auxiliary 3673 since 1954 and Auxiliary president for five years. In addition, she was the first member from the Auxiliary to become the 15th District president, an office she held for two years. She was a page for a state president, a life member of the VFW National Children's Home in Eaton Rapids, Mich., a Friend and Partner in Mission of Suomi College (Finlandia University), Hancock, Mich., and a member of the National AARP since 1974. Surviving are her daughter, Karen (Ray) Spencer, Columbia Heights; grandchildren, Craig (Mary) Spencer, Kevin (Dawn) Spencer, and Kristin (Scott) Gleisner; great-grandchildren, Nicole, Anthony, Ryan, Adrianna, Griffin and Grace; nieces (whom she helped raise), Janet Rodriquez, Fresno, Calif., Susan Korhonen, Milwaukee, and Jocelyn (Mike) Johns, Houston, Tx; a great-nephew, David Jacobson, Sacramento, Calif., and a great-niece and great-nephew, Marti and Chris Johns, Houston. Besides her parents, Bertha was preceded in death by brothers Anton, Charles, Martin, Victor, John, Henry and Arnold Korhonen. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 25, at 11 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Gerald Anderson, pastor of Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer, officiating. Committal services and interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer. A luncheon reception will be held at Tacconelli's in downtown Ironwood immediately upon return from the cemetery. There will be no visitation. To view Bertha's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.