BERTHA D. DANHAUS

Mrs. Bertha D. Danhaus, 94, of Good Samaritan Home, died at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday (May 4, 2005) at the home.

Born July 26, 1910 in Munich, Germany, Bertha was the daughter of Herman Ernst and Anna Babette Bangert Dege. She and her parents escaped from Germany in 1913 and came to Quincy. She married Russell Henry Danhaus on August 13, 1938 in Quincy. He died October 12, 1992.

Mrs. Danhaus was a graduate of Quincy High School in 1929 and a member of the Unitarian Church. She was a charter member and treasurer of the Quincy World Federalists, a member of the YWCA, a member of the Unitarian Women's Alliance, a member of FOR (Freedom Of Residence), and was active in the Quincy Community Little Theater.

Bertha was employed as the office manager in her father's furniture business, "The Artisan Furniture Shop" from 1929 until 1938. She later worked as the office manager at the Book Stall during the 1960's.

Bertha's main interests were music, world peace, and nature. She studied voice with Dorothy Winking and piano with Lulu Felt. In the 1930's she performed with the Quincy Civic Opera Association. She met her husband in St. Paul E & R Church choir. They loved to travel and appreciate nature in the mountains and sea shores. Gardening with vegetables and flowers was a favorite hobby. She loved children and teaching Sunday School. She will be remembered for her caring nature in the Quincy community, always concerned with race relations and helping the oppressed.

Surviving is her daughter, Dienna Drew and her husband Jim of Quincy; two grandchildren, Susan Drew of Kirksville, MO. and Michael Drew and his wife Jennifer of Quincy; two great grandchildren, Zoe and Zachary Drew of Quincy; four sisters, Anna Louise Brigham and Frieda Marshall and her husband Floyd, all of Quincy, Clara Lily White of Springfield, IL., and Patsy Rose Hoshiko and her husband Michael of Edwardsville, IL.; a cousin, Walter Dege and his wife Helga of Quincy; a special caregiver, Beverly Vaughn of Quincy; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a sister, Betty May Dege.

Mrs. Danhaus donated her body to Washington University Medical School. A memorial service will be held next Sunday (May 15, 2005) at 4:00 p.m. in the Unitarian Church by Dr. Rev. Robert Manning.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Unitarian Church or to Good Samaritan Home.

Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.