Baker City, Oregon
Genevieve A. (Metzker) Berto was born Sept. 29, 1917, in Baker, (now Baker City) and entered into eternal rest on Nov. 21, 2004, in Boise, Idaho.
Genevieve was born to Jeff Metzker and Lora Mae McClurg Metzker. There were seven children in the Metzker family, four boys and three girls. All graduated from school, some from college. Genevieve graduated from Baker High School in 1935. Genevieve met and married Earl Cock in 1940 and had two children, Larry and Lynda, and resided in Union and Baker.
In 1944 Genevieve and Earl were divorced. Genevieve then went to work as a waitress at the Royal Café and Scots Café in Baker. In 1946 she married Robert Berto in Pasco, Wash. They had two boys, Ron and Roy Berto. They moved to Burley, Idaho, in 1949 where Genevieve worked at Ore-Ida Processing Plant. The family then moved to Boise, Idaho, in 1962. In 1965 Genevieve and Robert were divorced. Genevieve lived and worked in Boise since that time. Genevieve was employed at the Royal Restaurant as a cook for 14 years and then as the head cook at Hewlett Packard. She suffered a broken hip in 1980 ending her working years.
Genevieve’s love for her family was very deep and she showed it in more ways than the family could count. She was known for her crocheting — making with love over 150 afghans and various other hand-made items for her family and friends. She loved to travel on vacations. She was able go to Newport, R.I. where she visited her son, Ron, while he was in the Navy as a member of the Navy Band. While there, she toured New England and saw the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time. Other travels were trips up and down the Pacific Coast, including a car trip to British Columbia with son, Roy and his two children as well as trips to see daughter, Lynda and family in California. Other states Genevieve enjoyed visiting were Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Utah and numerous trips to Oregon to visit family members.
Survivors include Genevieve’s three children, Lynda Runner (husband Bill), Boise, Idaho, (formerly of Chula Vista, Calif.), Ronald G. Berto (wife Glenda), Boise and Roy L. Berto (wife Nancy), Boise; three grandchildren, Wendy Runner, Nolan Berto, Chantel Berto Little (husband Rob); two great-grandchildren, Makayla Louise Little and Garrett Robert Little; two sisters, Christina Adelhart, Portland, and Shirley Killinger, Salem; one brother, Jeff Metzker of Oregon City, and numerous very special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by parents Jeff and Mae Metzker; three brothers, Lawrence, Everett and Ross Metzker and son, Laurence E. Berto.
By Genevieve’s request, there will be no services. Family is requesting that any gift offerings be made in her name to the American Cancer Society, 2676 S. Vista Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705. Arrangements are by Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon December, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor