Stellamary (Backenstose) Bertram

Stellamary (Backenstose) Bertram, 89, of Mechanicsburg, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg. She was born Monday, December 18, 1922 in Schaefferstown to the late John N. and Stella V. (Brendel) Backenstose. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Kenneth E. Bertram, in 1981.

Stellamary Bertram was the youngest child of John and Stella Backenstose. She was born into a family of four siblings in Shaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Stella's childhood residence was close to her grandparent's home, the Shaeffer farm. Stella's father manufactured cigars, and served as the local postmaster. Occasionally, she traveled from her home to Mount Gretna with him to fulfill his postal duties.

Stella attended Shaefferstown High School where she joined the basketball team and played piano. After attending secretarial school, she found herself at Fort Indiantown Gap where she noticed Kenneth Bertram and some time after the end of the war, they got married. They first moved to Syracuse where Ken completed his business degree. Thereafter, they moved to Baltimore, Maryland. The young couple chose to take an independent path as Ken gave up corporate life and enrolled in Dental School at the University of Maryland. Stella gave birth to two daughters, Susan and Mary Kay, both within 2 years. Ken graduated from Dental School and the family moved to New Cumberland to begin a dental practice. Daughter number three, Betsy, followed only weeks after the family's arrival in Pennsylvania.

Stella was a busy mother with three young children all under the age of three. She was a consummate homemaker who worked tirelessly for her family. She used what little free time she had to become involved in the community and their church. Stella and Ken's Bridge Street residence was perfect for their young family, as only one door separated Stella and the girls from the dental practice. Following the death of Stellamary's mother, Mt. Gretna, that special place she had traveled to with her father, enticed the couple to purchase a large cottage in the Chataqueua section of that community.

Mount Gretna would soon become as much a home for the family as New Cumberland.  When her daughters completed the school year, Stella would pack them up and move the family to the cottage; Kenneth would undertake the daily commute throughout the summer. Their move back to Bridge Street often occurred only early on the morning of the first day of school. The cottage was a magical place for the family. Laughter and adventure filled summer days and nights. Extended family and friends were a fixture in the home, enticed by the good times and Stella's legendary culinary abilities.

Stella and Ken were blessed late in life with the addition of another family member, son Rob. The couple began traveling when Rob was a toddler. Stella also became more active in the family's church during this time, assisting in the establishment of Baughman Church's first pre-school. The coming years however, would prove tumultuous. Stella's life now turned to caring for and supporting Ken while they fought cancer. The battle was eventually lost and Stella adjusted to life as a single parent with a teenage son.

She would eventually return to Mt. Gretna, buying a property where her adult family would gather. Gretna held only happy memories for Stellamary, beginning in her childhood and continuing throughout her entire life. She will be remembered for the homes she created, the meals she served to all her “family,” the determination she instilled in her children, and love of Penn State.

She is survived by a son, K. Robert Bertram and wife Lynn of Mechanicsburg; three daughters, Susan C. Froh of Camp Hill, Kay Kormushoff and husband Alex of IL, and Betsy Bertram of Camp Hill; ten grandchildren, Sara Banner and husband Christopher of Camp Hill, David Kormushoff of IL, Beth Froh of Philadelphia, Emma Froh of OR, Clare Ferrari of Camp Hill, Ken Ferrari of Camp Hill, Margaret Kormushoff of IL, Katherine Kormushoff of IL, Reed Bertram of Mechanicsburg, and Devon Bertram of Mechanicsburg; a great grandson, Samuel Banner. She was predeceased by three brothers, Donald, Lee, and Tom Backenstose; and a sister, Ava Marshall.

Private burial will take place in Schaefferstown Cemetery at the convenience of the family. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Rothermel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078 has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011. Condolences may be shared at www.rothermelfuneralhome.com