Elma E. E. Bertram

NEW IPSWICH, N.H. - Elma Emma Emelia Bertram, 93, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, passed from this life to eternity on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at the Jaffrey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after a brief period of failing health.

Born in Ironwood, Michigan, on April 10, 1930, to Arvo and Emma (Hendrickson) Suvanto, she graduated from Luther L. Wright high school in 1948. After graduation she lived in southern Wisconsin and Chicago. In Chicago she was employed at Kraft Foods where she first met James.

She married James Bertram on July 26, 1950, in Waukegan, Illinois. He passed away on their 70th wedding anniversary. After marriage they lived in Chicago for a short time before moving to Ironwood, where they raised their family. After retirement James and Elma moved to Florida for a few years and then to New Ipswich, New Hampshire.

She had quite a sense of humor and enjoyed shopping for and sending goofy silly humorous cards to her friends and family. Reading, building puzzles, and a game of Scrabble were enjoyable to her. She loved watching the birds but hated the squirrels. She was a welcoming hostess, always ready to serve coffee and her bakery. She was our wonderful mother and grandmother; she loved holding our babies.

She was a member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church. Christianity was very important to her and she knew her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her children, Gary (Cheryl) of New Ipswich, Brian of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Janis (William) Seppala of New Ipswich, Dean (Martha) of New Ipswich, Jeffrey (Marla) of New Ipswich, Marlon (Betsy) of New Ipswich, and Kerri of New Ipswich; and 45 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Irene Suvanto; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, John, Carl, Waino, Signe, Senia, Aune and William.

All services were held at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, in New Ipswich. To share memories, photographs and condolences with Elma's family, please visit cournoyerfh.com