Bertha Elsie Kaiser Whitney was born the second child of Philip G. and Janie (Griffin) Zillinger on August 2, 1921 in Logan, Kansas and she passed away March 9, 2011 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 89.

Bertha was baptized at her parent's home the day of her birth and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on July 5, 1944 in Joliet, Illinois.

She graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1941 where she received her Normal Training certificate to teach.

Bertha taught at a country school in Phillips County after graduation. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Ellsworth Kaiser. Ellsworth's military service in the Army led him to San Diego, California, where Bertha later traveled to be with him. The couple was married on December 28, 1943.

Their union was blessed with two children: Cheryl Loy on December 9, 1944 and Wyann Ellsworth on March 5, 1947. Ellsworth passed away March 26, 1969.

On April 4, 1974, Bertha was united in marriage to Wayne Whitney. He also preceded her in death on March 20, 2004.

Bertha was a loyal and active member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, Kansas, where she sang in the church choir, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the church's women's groups.

She was a busy homemaker and mother and spent many years sewing for people, making quilts, canning, playing canasta and bowling. She loved spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed having Doug stop by to mow and help her.

Her parents; husbands, Ellsworth and Wayne; brothers, Charles and Fred Zillinger; sisters Esther Lynn, Ellen McKinsey and Geniveve Townley preceded her in death.

Bertha is survived by her son, Wyann Kaiser & wife, Connie, of Chesapeake, VA; her daughter, Cheryl Keesee & husband, Jerry, of Phillipsburg, KS; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two brothers: Ray Zillinger & wife, Donna, of Phillipsburg, KS and Andrew Zillinger & wife, Betty, of Stuttgart, KS; two sisters: Ruth Hulett of Nowata, OK and Marian King of Hays, KS; and many nieces & nephews.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, KS with Pastor Shelly Klingensmith officiating. Burial will follow in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Stuttgart.

Visitation will be Sunday from noon – 9 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, KS.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery Fund.