Bertha Tyler

Bertha M. Tyler (Oyen) Beautiful mother and grandmother, age 81, passed away March 27, 2014 after a short, but valiant fight. Bert was at peace and among family when she accepted the invitation to join her beloved and much missed spouse, Clyde, who had passed on before her two years and two days earlier. Bert, also known as Bertha May or Bem by her siblings and many cousins, was born in a log house in rural Baltic, SD on May 17, 1932. She was one of five children born to Adolph and Marie Oyen and was 100 % Norwegian. Her children liked to remind folks that Mom shared her birthday with Norwegian Independence Day or Syttende Mai. Bert knew her musical notes before she started Kindergarten and was a beautifully accomplished musician, playing the viola, piano and organ, but focusing her true musical love on piano performance and accompaniment. She attended Augustana College for piano performance, as well as being individually tutored, both there and in Germany, where she spent time in Frankfurt with her husband Clyde during his Army tour. Bert chose her love of family and home over that of a professional performing pianist's life. In so doing she enriched the lives of many hundreds of friends, neighbors, church members, local community musical performance groups and countless piano students, not to mention her family. Her love of music was second only to her love of her family. After their retirement, Bert and Clyde lived within 30 minutes of all their children and grandchildren. During those 17 years nothing could keep Bert from any suggested opportunity to get together with family or with close friends for any social event. Bert never had an unkind word to say about anyone and added joy, conversation and music to every place she went. She will be missed greatly by her children Tracy Nickelsen, Robert (Paul), Trudy (Scott) MacKenzie-Lofgren; siblings Ada Yakal and David (Kathy) Oyen; grandchildren Tyler (fiancé Brigette) and Madeline MacKenzie, Katharine and Karley Nickelsen; many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. Funeral Service 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 6, 2014 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 1660 W. Cty. Rd. B, Roseville. Visitation one hour prior to the service. A Memorial Service will also be held at EagleCrest, 2925 Lincoln Dr., Roseville on Monday, April 7, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery following the Memorial Service.



Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025

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Previous Events

Visitation
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Service
Sunday, April 6, 2014
cemetery
Monday, April 7, 2014

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