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Berta Ramirez

Visitation Date: Sunday, May 6, 2018
Visitation Time: 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Funeral Date: Monday, May 7th, 2018
Funeral Time: 9:30 am
Place of Funeral: Ascension Church
Funeral Notes: Prayers and Final Viewing are Monday at Funeral Home starting at 8:30 a.m.
Interment: St. Mary Cemetery

Berta A. Villarreal Ramirez, age 90, matriarch of the Villarreal {Ramirez} family, died peacefully on Saturday April 21st, 2018, at 3:10 pm, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and joined her husband Salvador, for whom she longed since his death.

Born on December 7th, 1927, to Higinio & Carolina Villarreal, Berta was one of 11 children. Shortly after she was born, her family moved to Monterrey, Mexico. Later, her family migrated to Illinois to make Chicago their permanent home. It would be several years before Berta would meet the man who would be her husband, Salvador. They would raise eight children together. Berta also worked hard outside the home, and after many years she retired from Time-Life. Berta and Sal saved enough to build their retirement home at what would become Grandchildren’s Lake in Russellville, Kentucky.

After Sal passed, Berta held strong and stayed in their home. It was years later that she built a smaller home and made the decision stay in Russellville. Berta worked hard to maintain a strong connection to Russellville, but she spent a good deal of time alone. When her doctor noticed her health was in decline, he suggested that she go stay with family for a few months or until she was able to get back on her feet. Unfortunately, that never happened, and she stayed her final few years of life in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Berta was not alone when she was welcomed to eternity. Blessed to be at her side was her daughter, Terry, and son-in-law, Reginald. During her time spent in Las Vegas, Berta was blessed to stay in touch with her loved ones near and far. Despite the distance, and regardless of time spent apart, Berta was and is loved by her family and friends around the world.

Through the ups and downs and lonely times that life brought, even if she may have considered it at times, Berta did not give up.

Berta was preceded in death by her parents, Higinio & Carolina Villarreal; brothers, Louis, Armando, Artemio, Joseph and lastly her loving brother, Hijinio Fernando Villarreal (4/27/12); great granddaughter, Clarissa Khuu; Grandson, Gale Christopher White (7/10/94).

Berta is survived by her siblings, all of whom she loved deeply and with whom shared a special bond until her passing. Richard C. Villarreal (Edelmira) Woodridge; Edward Villarreal, Plainfield; Vel Kosbab (Ken), MO; Anna Marie Arguijo, IL; Lucy Barbour (Ed), FL; and sister-in-law, Maria Soledad, Brookfield.

Her children: Ralph Ramirez (Mamie McDaniel), KY; Esperanza Villarreal, IL; Maria Ward, AZ; Linda Barry (Robert), FL; Gloria White, IL; Terry Weaver (Reginald), NV; Victor Ramirez (Renee), CA; Olga Crabtree, KY

Her grandchildren: Kim Johnson (Steve), KY; Ruth Bailey, Chicago; Priscilla Villarreal, St. Louis; Rose Linwood (Richard), Plainfield; Eddie Villarreal, Las Vegas; Sara Glaser, TN; Sandra Sloniker, AZ; Robby Ward (Heena), AZ; Leon Wink (Joy), AL; Dr. Scott Wink ( Dr. Crystal), ID; Phillip Wink (Valerie), FL; M. Nicole White, Oswego; Thomas Weston Adams III, TX; Theresa Cobarrubio (Frank), CA; Joey Gulas (Mindy), CA; Brandon Crabtree (Catherine) KY; Miranda Crabtree, IN.
Her great-grandchildren: Jacob & Nicole Johnson, KY; Christina Aogus, IL; Jackie Andrea, AZ; Jonathan Khuu, CA; Mary Ellen Villarreal, IL; Ryan, Tarah, & Juliana Linwood, all of Plainfield; MJ, Anna, & Mia Glaser, TN; Sierra, Whitney & Megan Sloniker, AZ; Kingston & Judah Wink, Alabama; Bryce & Porter Wink, ID; Eden & Ezra Wink, FL; Alexis & Daniel Cobarrubio, CA; Brianne, Catlin, Marian, Rachel, Gabriel, Issah, Ezra, Luke, & Nathan, all of CA: Avram, Abby, & Amelia Crabtree, all of KY. Berta also had five great-great-grandchildren!

Berta had friends and family all over the world and maintained strong connections at home in Russellville. She appreciated all the trips planned & traveled, the visits long & short, the delicious meals, and the gorgeous floral arrangements sent to celebrate her 90th birthday. Berta was thankful for the unending and unselfish love and understanding shown by everyone who reached out to her while she was in Las Vegas, even when she wasn’t well enough to speak or visit. Berta was especially thankful for her nieces and nephews and their children, never forgetting her endless list of cousins in Mexico, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Florida, Illinois, and throughout the US, who stayed in close touch with her these last 4½ years Great-niece, Jessica, age three, during her visits, would run to the bottom of the stairs to help her Great-Aunt. She’d reach her arms out and yell, “Come on, I got ya. Berta was ever so thankful for the helping hand.

The Ramirez and Villarreal families thank the wonderful hard-working staff of Nathan Adelson Hospice (In-patient Care, Swenson). Dr. K. Adams; Nurses Kim, Tess, Shea, & Chantel; Social Worker Patty G.; and CNAs Heidi, Jade, & Olivera who took extra special care of Berta. Also, a special thank you to Dr. TJ MacAllen. We’ll never forget you guys.

Funeral Monday, May 7, 2018 8:30 a.m. from Salerno’s Galewood Chapels, 1857 N. Harlem Avenue, Chicago, 60707 to Ascension Catholic Church, 808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park IL 60304, Mass 9:30 a.m. Interment St. Mary Cemetery, Evergreen Park, IL. Visitation Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Funeral Home

Salerno's Galewood Chapel

Phone: 773-889-1700
Address: 1857 N. Harlem Ave Chicago Illinois, 60707

Church Details

Ascension Church

Phone: 708-848-2703
Address: 815 S. East Avenue Oak Park IL, 60304
Service Date: May 7th 2018
Funeral Time: 9:30 am

Interment Details

St. Mary Cemetery

Phone: 708-422-8720
Address: 3801 W 87th Street Evergreen Park IL, 60805

Guestbook


Posted by:
Victor salvador Ramirez

Posted on:
Tuesday, September 18, 2018

I call you alot mom and nobody can block my calls but they can block my visits, i still have you mom , this shouldn't go on I am at piece you are with the Lord love victor salvador Ramirez

Posted by:
Lori beebe

Posted on:
Sunday, May 6, 2018

My sincerest condolences to the family. I pray GOD'S word and truth see you all through this trying time. May his peace surround all of you. Love and prayers, Lori Jo

Posted by:
Miranda Crabtree

Posted on:
Sunday, May 6, 2018

My dear, sweet, “Grams”, Forever in my heart you will remain. Our life in Kentucky shared, I will hold dear. The times that you sang to me in Spanish, our Dairy Queen visits for blizzards, Chuy time (a place we loved to eat at with mom, Olga), our TJ max trips in Owensboro, our talks about recipes, the time you stayed up with me until 3 am making tamales, our Christmas mornings in Kentucky/rusville, our long talks about family and friends, and so many more. I will hold the memories you, mom, and I had together in Kentucky/Russiville forever. YOU, my special grams, were more like a second mother to me. The memories I have, can never be taken away, nor can they ever fade. Forever in my heart, forever. Spending each New Year morning with you, each Christmas (until two years ago), and almost every other week with you was such a blessing. YOU were a blessing to everyone whom you encountered. Thank you for being my grandmother, my second mom, a listener, a healer, a friend, but most importantly, forever, being my “grams” Besitos Miranda Crabtree

Posted by:
Nan Smith

Posted on:
Saturday, May 5, 2018

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3 We loved Ms. Berta and we will miss her very much. It was such a privilege and pleasure to be part of her life, even so it was just for a short time. Our hearts are hurting for you. With deepest sympathy, Nan, Teresa, Sierra and Shyloh Smith Marlis Smith-Danser

Posted by:
Jo Wiebersick

Posted on:
Saturday, May 5, 2018

Sincere sympathy to your whole family. RIP Berta.

Posted by:
Harold & Susan Mann

Posted on:
Friday, May 4, 2018

So sorry for your loss Terry and Reggie-our heart felt condolences to you and family. Looks like she lived a very long and full life for which you can be grateful and reflect back on. Love to you both

Posted by:
Lynn Dennis & Don Coleman

Posted on:
Sunday, April 29, 2018

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen