Smithwick Genealogy

Dedicated to bringing together the greater Smithwick family

First Name Last Name
Home Search Login  
Print Bookmark

Bertha Koortz[1]

Female 1922 - 2020  (97 years)


Personal Information    |    Sources    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Bertha Koortz 
    Born 5 Aug 1922  El Paso, TX, US Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 3 Aug 2020  El Paso, TX, US Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I9965  Smithwick Family Tree
    Last Modified 12 Feb 2023 

    Father Ben (Boim) Koortz (Kortsarz),   b. 25 May 1892, Wielgie, Stoczek, Wegrów County, Poland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Jun 1961, El Paso, TX, US Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years) 
    Mother Mary (Machle) Schneidman,   b. 4 Jul 1896, Stoczek, Wegrow County, Poland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married 15 Oct 1912  Stoczek, Wegrow County, Poland Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Family ID F3151  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Living 
    Children 
     1. Living
     2. Living
     3. Living
    Last Modified 11 Feb 2023 
    Family ID F3153  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S770] Obituary - Bertha (Koortz) Siegelman, (Dallas Morning News), https://obits.dallasnews.com/us/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/name/bertha-siegelman-obituary?id=2228450.
      Bertha "Bertie" Siegelman, or Gam(m) to her 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and myriad nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 3, 2020, just 2 days shy of her 98th birthday. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 63 years, Leon Siegelman. There was little doubt that Bertie was the Sovereign of the family - right down to her coffee mug declaring her Queen of Everything. She ruled with an iron fist and a plate of delicious, homemade sweets for any grandchild who happened to be in her presence. In her later years, she plied her great-grandchildren with small Hershey's bars, always immune to charges of bribery. Bertie raised three children in El Paso, Ynette Hogue, Janis Gail, and Mark Siegelman, each accomplished in their own right, but endowed most importantly with the love of family that Bertie and Leon modeled at home. She was also lucky to have collected two sons-in-law, James Hogue and Dan Gail, and a daughter-in-law, Pila Estess, along the way, each of whom would attest to having won the mother-in-law lottery. Bertie loved a good movie, to sing or watch a great musical, Mexican food hot off the grill and a juicy hamburger (always cooked to her liking), but most of all she loved sharing these things with those around her. She was endlessly proud and occasionally embarrassed for her grandchildren, who shared her love of singing but none of her talent. She was known for always being perfectly dressed and coiffed, with a sparkle in her eyes. She was beloved by all who knew her. Her entire family feels fortunate to have been part of her life for so many years. A private burial service was held in Dallas, TX. In lieu of flowers - or food! - please consider a donation to the Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas, the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas, Congregation B'nai Zion of El Paso, or another organization that provides for those in our community.

      Published by Dallas Morning News on Aug. 9, 2020.

    2. [S769] Texas, U.S., Naturalization Records, 1852-1991, (Ancestry), https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2509/images/42371_1220705043_1060-00750.