Bertha Magee

Bertha Lucille Appleyard Magee passed away in Lakewood, Colorado on Monday, April 19, 2021.

She was born on March 7, 1924 on a farm near Quick, north of McCook to Nathan and Ola Mae Knepp Appleyard.

On December 31, 1952 Bertha married Dale W. Magee (of Culbertson, Neb.) in Imperial, Nebraska. They lived in several western states as they moved with Mr. Magee’s employment with the Bureau of Reclamation. They retired in McCook. She moved back to Denver in 1998.

Bertha worked during WWII at the Munitions Plant in Denver, Colorado and later as an employee of the Bureau of Reclamation in McCook.  She worked for several school districts throughout her lifetime, including for the McCook Public Schools in the Special Education Division, just prior to her retirement.

Bertha, (aka Grammy, Grandma, Bert, and Aunt Bertie) will be fondly remembered for her quick wit, her competitive streak during Scrabble and Rumikub matches with family, and for her tenacious spirit throughout all life’s tribulations. Her family will warmly recall her strength and determination in defending what she believed in, for her strong faith, her loyalty to her family and friends, and her sense of humor.

Preceding her in death were her husband on November 14, 1986; her parents; a sister, Della Shepherd; her brother, Oliver Appleyard; and a small grandson, Joel Thomas. Survivors include her two daughters, Rhonda Magee (husband Larry Jenks) and Nancy Thomas (husband Jim Thomas); three grandsons, Chris Magee-Jenks (wife Tina), Patrick Magee-Jenks, and Adrian Thomas (wife Nicole Solano-Thomas); and two great-grandchildren, Lily and Lucas Thomas.

Celebration of life will take place Virtually, via Zoom conference on Saturday May 22, 2021 at 11:00 MDT, 12:00 CDT.

Call 720-231-4603 for invitation/link to the service.

Inurnment will take place at Ft. McPherson on June 18, 2021 at 2PM.