Sophia Mary ‘Bertie’ Blomberg

Sophia Mary “Bertie” Blomberg, 90, died June 22, 2012 at the Crook County Hospital in Sundance, WY.

Sophia was surrounded by loving family and friends during her unexpected and brief illness, and shared many favorite stories with the special people in her life.

Sophia was born on Dec. 12, 1921 to Sophia (Seppenine) and John Flaigg at the family ranch in Butte County (SD) near Hoover, where she lived most of her life.

Sophia married Martin “Bud” Blomberg in 1954. They had two children: William, born in 1955 and Patricia, born in 1957. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, Bud was killed in a vehicle-related accident and Sophia returned to the ranch in Hoover, where she had been born. It was here she courageously pursued sheep ranching and raising her two young children.

Sophia grew up in a two room house with her parents and four siblings. There was no running water, electricity or refrigeration at that time. At a young age, she and her little brother, Pete, spent much time herding sheep, barefooted on the prairie. That’s where she developed her fascination for all Mother Nature had to offer. She protested mightily about the unfairness that Pete could wear pants to school but she had to wear a dress!

When she was older she helped her dad haying with a team of horses and later overhauling the Model-T. During the depression, the family only had one murky little spring to provide them with water and food was as sparse as water. After the “Dirty Thirties” ended she gardened and canned vegetables and deer meet for food and never again ate a rutabaga!

“Bertie” was very capable and self sufficient from docking lambs, stacking hay, milking ornery cows, working on vehicles and shooting varmints to making quilts, baking bread, churning butter, feeding a crowd from nothing, and nurturing ailing animals.

Sophia was comfortably able to converse with people of all ages on a wide variety of subjects, which drew people to her, and had a keen interest in everything. She loved people, especially children, and mentored and befriended many, always championing them on.

Several members of her family played musical instruments at dances and she was often requested to play the fiddle for a dance or at home around the kitchen table. Bertie’s kitchen table was a favorite gathering place for family, friends and those who happened by. Laughter, food, cards, music, worries and world events were shared at the table, along with an occasional repair on a carburetor or rifle.

Sophia was a strong, spirited and practical woman with a great sense of humor and love of life who will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, William Blomberg, Sturgis, SD; her daughter, Patricia (John) Heinz, Pine Haven, WY; two grandsons, Martin (Amber) Blomberg, stationed in San Diego, CA and Casey (Becky) Blomberg, one great-granddaughter, Kierra, Spearfish, SD; three nephews, Kenneth (Karen) Johnson, Freemont, CA; Robert (Rhea) Johnson, Spearfish, SD and Jerry (Kathy) Flaigg, Bear Butte, SD; four nieces, Linda (Terry) Bohnet, Vale, SD, and Deb (Dave) Hutt, Recluse, WY; Allison (Marvin) Hall, and Lenoir (Ed) Loya, Florida; sister-in-law, Mable Flaigg; brother-in-law Maurice Hamilton; lifelong friend and cousin, Rose Sundstrom, and other cousins, extended family and friends.

Sophia was preceded in death by her husband Martin Blomberg, parents, Sophia and John Flaigg; sisters Martha Ehlers and Bertha Dow; brothers Johnny Flaigg and Pete Flaigg.